Local News

Sept. 21, 2006

United Blood Services honor high school blood donors

By Andrew Junker
The Catholic Sun

Students from two local Catholic high schools were honored at a United Blood Services luncheon at Chase Field Sept. 12.

Bourgade Catholic High School and Brophy College Preparatory had the highest percentage of students donating blood in their divisions based on senior class size for the 2005-2006 school year.

Bourgade principal Sr. Mary McGreevy, SSND, who spoke at the event, encouraged the students to take pride in their successful efforts in providing more than 14,000 lifesaving transfusions this past year.

“You are definitely influencing lives,” she said.

Sr. Mary knows firsthand how blood donations can change lives. Doctors used her blood for a police officer shot in the stomach four times.

Officer Rob Sitek was shot in the line of duty in 2001. He required 148 transfusions during his recovery. He told the students how moving it was to meet some of his donors face to face.

He also emphasized the importance of giving blood.

“You never know when you’re going to need it,” he said. “I went to the best hospital. I had the best doctors, but nothing matters if the blood’s not there. It’s liquid gold.”

As the students ate hamburgers and hotdogs provided by TGI Friday’s and applauded each speech, the organizers urged them to start planning blood drives for the new school year.

The goal? 17,000 donations.

Sr. Mary McGreevy knows the students are up to it.

“Keep up the good work,” she said. “Stand proud and tall.”