A Bloody Good Tale to Tell

Pottstown High School student Amber Lichtly gets stuck

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This school year, the students and staff at Pottstown High School partnered with the Miller Keystone Blood Center to help save 444 lives.

Three blood drives were organized by the high school Student Government and Health Occupations classes with the assistance of sponsor Mark Agnew.

During the spring drive, 65 registered donors resulted in the collection of 44 units of lifesaving blood.

Agnew pointed out, “the students have really stepped it up this year. This is the third blood drive and the turnout was outstanding. They keep coming and giving. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to show gratitude to the community.”

Student donor Chris Marcelli expressed his thoughts about the campaign, “it feels good to be able to help someone in a time of need. I really do not like needles at all but the good feeling I get from knowing that I am helping others gets me through it.”

Students and staff had a special treat at the spring donation with a visit from the Miller Keystone mascot “Buddy.”

"Buddy" gets a warm welcome at Pottstown High School

The mascot was on hand to provide encouragement and enthusiasm to the donors.

Carol Graves, from the Miller Keystone Blood Center, has nothing but high praise for the students and staff of Pottstown High School.

“This year the total number of donors was 201 and cumulatively we collected 148 units of blood. This donation has helped save 444 lives this year," Graves said.

High schools in the Miller Keystone area collect about 20 percent of the blood center’s inventory during the school year.

Miller Keystone Blood Center is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center and 23 other PA and NJ hospitals.

Visit their website at www.giveapint.org.

The entire staff at The Digital Notebook encourages you to remember that the summer months are a time of great need for blood donations. Please donate if you can.