Addison Trail hosts blood drive for Vitalant

Top row: Addison Trail nurse Judy Campbell (left) and Addison Trail senior Gissell Mora donate blood during Addison Trail's blood drive on March 12 for Vitalant. Bottom row: Addison Trail Student Nurse Intern Gabrielle Sinagra and Addison Trail junior Ryan Ficarra participate in the blood drive. Photos by Addison Trail junior Tiffany Cuevas

Addison Trail seniors (from left) Wiktoria Sitko, Mikayla O'Donnell, Jessica D'Ambrose and Jenny Muka assist during the school's blood drive on March 12 to benefit Vitalant. Photo by Addison Trail junior Tiffany Cuevas

On March 12, Addison Trail students, staff and community members participated in a blood drive at the school to donate blood for Vitalant.

Each unit of blood collected supports up to three lives. Eighty-four productive pints of blood were collected, which means this event could potentially save up to 252 lives.

The blood drive was open to those who are 17 years old and older, or those who are 16 years old with parental consent. Participants have to go through a series of questions before donating blood to ensure they meet certain requirements. The event takes place not only for students and staff to donate blood to help save lives, but also to educate students to become blood donors early on. The blood donated is used to assist people who are going through cancer treatment, an organ transplant or an accident. The event takes place twice a year, once in November and once in March.

Students, staff and community members are welcome to continue giving toward Addison Trail’s total. Call 630-530-3989 for details. For participating in blood drives, Vitalant presents District 88 with a check that goes toward scholarships for students at Addison Trail and Willowbrook.