By Charlie Pistone, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- With the community coming together at Brunswick High School (BHS), students and staff recently completed a very successful American Red Cross blood drive on October 23 - collecting 67 pints of blood which will touch the lives of 201 people. Behind the scenes of this event is Katherine Ezell, Account Manager at the American Red Cross Blood Services, who has dedicated 21 years to supporting the American Red Cross.
The American Red Cross, founded by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, is an organization focused on easing suffering, specializing in disaster relief, such as floods and fires, and maintaining the nation’s blood supply. Ezell’s journey with the organization began about two decades ago, when her mother needed blood products, and a friend at the American Red Cross encouraged her to apply after learning that she was already recruiting donors.
Today, the stakes remain high. Ezell explained that the organization needs to collect approximately 900 pints of blood every single day just to keep Northeast Ohio hospitals supplied, which requires about 1000 people to come out and donate daily.
For over 20 years, Brunswick High School has stood out as one of the best high schools for blood drives, working with school staff like BHS teacher Krystal Evans to collect between 70 and 100 pints of blood per drive. Ezell explained the role that high school students play in these blood drives and how important it is for them to come out to donate or encourage others to do so as well.
Organizing a blood drive starts by contacting 1-800-RED-CROSS to determine details. Future drives in Medina County include:
11/1 - Litchfield Township Fire Department (7am-12pm), 9487 Norwalk Road, Litchfield
11/2 - Trinity United Methodist Church (1pm-6pm), 215 High Street, Wadsworth
11/5 - St Ambrose Church (2:30pm-7:30pm), 929 Pearl Road, Brunswick
11/5 - Prince of Peace Lutheran (12pm-6pm), 3355 Medina Rd, Medina
11/7 - St Mark Lutheran Church (8am-1pm), 1330 N Carpenter, Brunswick
11/17 - Cleveland Clinic Brunswick (9am-3pm), 3574 Center Road, Brunswick
11/20 - Medina Recreation Center (10am-3pm), 855 Weymouth Road, Medina
11/23 - Brunswick United Methodist Church (12pm-6pm), 1395 Pearl Road, Brunswick
11/25 - Medina Fire Station #1 (11am-5pm), 300 West Reagan PKWY, Medina
11/27 - Root Candles (10am-3pm), 640 West Liberty Street, Medina
11/28 - Hinckley Police and Fire (9am-2pm), 1410 Ridge Road, Hinckley
12/30 - Brunswick Library/sponsored by Brunswick High School (11am-4pm), 3649 Center Road, Brunswick.
Community members and students looking to support these efforts can sign up by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or downloading the American Red Cross app and signing up through the app.
Organizers are encouraging everyone eligible to step up. Ezell shared, “Without high school students and community support, we cannot keep our hospitals supplied.”
Charlie Pistone, Brunswick High School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: BHS Blood Drive (L-R): Krystal Evans, BHS Student Council Advisor, Katie Thomma Ezell and Raegan Remendowski, BHS Student Council President; Other photos from recent blood drive held at the Brunswick United Methodist Church.