Blood drives at SPS continue in the summer
On a sunny Wednesday in July, Springfield Public Schools employees and community members gave blood at Kraft Administrative Center's Summer Blood Drive. But it was only one of many drives hosted by SPS for the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks.
"Springfield Public Schools is the backbone of our healthy, thriving community," said Chris Pilgrim, media relations representative at Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. "And we feel we're the backbone of keeping our community healthy, so our partnership is important."
During the 2017-2018 school year, blood drives were hosted at every SPS high school. Cherokee, Jarrett and Pershing middle schools also hosted community blood drives for their school communities, as well as Field and Rountree elementary schools. Together, more than 1,100 blood donations were made at a SPS site last year -- totalling over 137 gallons of blood donated.
"During the school year, almost 30 percent of the blood we receive comes from high schools and colleges," said Pilgrim. "Their support is so critical, but we also want to create donors for life. By introducing high schoolers to the donor experience, we hope they realize it's a positive one and it's a way they can help their community for their whole lives."
Patients at 41 area hospitals get their blood supplied solely by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. The organization is proud to partner with SPS to help meet that critical need, as well as proud of the ways the Blood Center supports SPS students. Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is a Partner in Education for Jarrett Middle School and sponsors the Tall Trojans program, celebrating academic excellence with students in middle school, as well as funding interactive tours at Parkview High School.