Wilcox Technical High School is the only school in Meriden to host more than one blood drive per year. The season of giving was kicked off by more than half of the senior class signing up, most as first-timers, to donate blood at the SkillsUSA sponsored drive on Friday, December 18th.
Spirits were high as students helped the American Red Cross members set up early in the morning, and the excitement of giving and caring carried on throughout the day as students poured in to donate. Due to the Red Cross understaffing, a misfortunate oversight, some students were turned away and could not donate but that did not stop others who stayed much after the school bell rang at the end of the day to donate their much needed gift of life.
The goal for Wilcox’s drive was 45 units. After the last drop flowed, the students donated 41 units in all making 95% of their goal. Not too bad for all first-time donors. The experience was one that will last forever and most students polled said that they would donate again in a heartbeat.
“It was exciting to see how successful the blood drive was, especially since it’s the first one in three years. I know that we will have more successful blood drives to come.” said SkillsUSA chapter Treasurer Perla Rivera. Wilcox Tech’s SkillsUSA chapter Vice-President, Marisa Marquardt probably said it best when she claimed, “It’s so heartwarming to know that these kids would give blood especially during the holiday season. This school truly pulled together for a good cause.” First-timer and birthday boy, Eli Dominguez, who turned 17 on December 18th and was eligible to donate, said “It was a great experience. I will definitely donate again and it made it all the more special because it was on my birthday.” Other first-timers, such as Andy DeJesus and Lizbeth Guerrero, were afraid of donating but other students, who stayed with them and helped them through the process, also said they would do it again in a heartbeat.
Wilcox Tech SkillsUSA is waiting for final word on their next scheduled blood drive which is to be held in March. As soon as a date is approved notification will be placed on our school website. SkillsUSA hopes to put five blood drives onto the school calendar for 2010/2011.
