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Catholic schools draw award for blood donations
By Ambria Hammel, The Catholic Sun
October 4, 2007
Bourgade Catholic High School and Brophy College Preparatory were among 127 Arizona high schools recognized by United Blood Services last month for blood drives held during the 2006-2007 school year.
The high schools provided 16,075 blood transfusions — more than any other donor age group in Arizona.
That means one out of every 13 units of blood transfusions performed came from a high school blood drive, said Audrey Gietzen, executive director of United Blood Services in Arizona.
Both Catholic campuses were named division champions during a Sept. 26 awards and training luncheon at Chase Field for highest participation percentage. The schools held several blood drives last year and averaged 60 donors at each one.
Nearly 90 percent of last year’s Brophy senior class donated blood.
“A big motivation factor is they can get out of class for an hour or so,” admitted Claude Renner, a senior at Brophy. Beyond that, the young men do classroom recruiting.
Donors can be as young as 17 if they have a minor donor permit.
“We had 66 units donated, which helps 185 people,” said Sr. Christi Ann Laudolff, CSA, who coordinates the campus drives.
Bourgade expanded its donor network to parents and faculty. Sr. Christi Ann said that encourages student participation.
Gietzen said 17-to-19-year-olds comprise the fastest-growing blood donor population in Arizona. That’s because blood banks need to make up for an aging donor base. Those who once donated blood now need it.
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