Schlosser Achieves Blood Collection Goal

Nurse Sharron Kirkby of Alanson (right) collects a pint of blood from donor Jim Schlosser of Cedarville during an April 22 American Red Cross blood drive in Cedarville.

Cedarville High School senior Karissa Schlosser earned a $1,000 college scholarship from the American Red Cross Great Lakes Regional office by exceeding a collection goal for the year.

At the final school-year drive hosted by students, 72 people came to donate and 56 pints of blood were collected.

"We had a very good day," said Great Lakes Regional Director Biz Bauer, regarding the collection. "We had seven first-time donors, which was great."

Thirteen volunteers were deferred for a variety of reasons, Mrs. Bauer said. Usually 10 to 12 potential donors are turned down at a blood drive because of low iron levels or because they didn't feel well.

Miss Schlosser was challenged by the regional office to collect a total of 160 units (or pints) of blood from the three drives held during the school year.

The drives are organized and hosted by student volunteers, who assist Red Cross staff, donors, serve refreshments, and take registration information.

Cedarville High School senior Karissa Schlosser (right) welcomes blood donor Rod Miller to an American Red Cross blood drive hosted by the Cedarville High National Honor Society, Student Council, and other student volunteers. Miss Schlosser organized the drive.

Fifteen Cedarville High School students, including National Honor Society and Student Council members, worked at the April 22 drive.

Miss Schlosser has been in charge of organizing the drives for the past three years, and she was trying to boost this year's donor participation by 25 to 30 people over last year's total.

She exceeded both participation and blood unit collection goals.

The April drive was Miss Schlosser's 12th and final drive. She will be graduated with the Cedarville High School Class of 2008 May 25.

At the April 22 blood drive in Cedarville, Mike Miller of Cedarville (left) and George Petitjean of Goetzville rest for a while after donating blood. It was Mr. Petitjean's 131st time donating blood.