Help save lives at Jan. 27 blood drive

Albany High School will do its part to help overcome the worst blood shortage in a decade at a blood drive on Jan. 27.

The drive will be held in the annex gym (old rubber gym) from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Students, staff and community members are invited to donate at the drive, the second of three the school will hold this year.

For health and safety reasons related to COVID-19, all prospective donors 16 years of age and older must make an appointment by registering online and using the sponsor code AlbanyHS. Students who are 16 and want to donate also need to bring this signed permission form.

Registered community donors must enter the school at Tower 2 (off the North Main Avenue parking lot) and have their appointment verified before going to the gym. All donors must wear a face mask and practice social distancing. Community donors also must bring a photo ID and be checked in through school security.

All potential donors are encouraged to use RapidPass, which allows them to read the required materials before donating and helps to speed up the donation process. Also, potential donors should drink plenty of water and eat green, leafy veggies in the days leading up to the drive.

The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis. Doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available, according to the Red Cross. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments.

Besides saving lives, giving blood will help raise scholarship money for our two student blood-drive coordinators – seniors Alison and Elizabeth Powell. Each donation counts towards Red Cross scholarships for them.