High school blood drives among most successful in Albany region

Clayton A. Bouton High School's October blood drive had one of the top participation rates for high schools in the Albany region, according to the New York-Penn chapter of the American Red Cross.

Fifty-four units of blood were donated during the blood drive, which was sponsored by the Student Council. Those 54 units equaled 19.3 percent of Voorheesville students who were eligible to donate blood. The participation rate was higher than all but four schools in the Albany region that have more than 244 students, according to the Red Cross.

"The students do a remarkable job of recruiting people to donate blood because they know it provides an invaluable service to people in need. The students are dedicated to this cause, and I think that shows in the school's ranking," said Tom Gladd, faculty advisor to the Student Council,

Each school's participation rate is determined by dividing the total units of blood collected by the total number of students who are age 16 and older. All donations count toward the rate, even if they come from teachers, parents or others in the community.

Voorheesville high school holds two blood drives each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. High school seniors who give blood are given credit toward the community service hours they must earn to graduate.

The next blood drive will be held April 1. If the total number of pints collected in both blood drives equals 35 percent of students eligible to donate, the school will receive a $200 scholarship. Gladd says he has no doubt that will happen.