Leave it to resourceful teens to get things done. Consider this lifesaving event organized by students at Buffalo Grove High School: Just last year they formed the second American Red Cross Club in District 214 — following the lead of Elk Grove High School — and already, they are making a difference.
Head Football Coach Jeff Vlk donates blood.
Last week, its members worked with the Red Cross to host a blood drive at the school. Leading up to the event, club members promoted the drive through morning announcements, posters, social media posts and an email outreach campaign.
They cautiously hoped to collect 35 pints of blood, knowing that the Red Cross could collect no more than 45 units during that day. However, club members nearly matched that maximum number, collecting 44 in all.
Donors included students, faculty and staff and even Head Football Coach Jeff Vlk, who also serves as Innovative Technology Facilitator at the school.
Junior Alex Greenstein
“We’re very surprised and proud of all the students and staff who came out today,” said senior Lyla Scadron, president of the American Red Cross Club. “It’s nice to know there are people who care and want to make a difference.”
For Scadron, involvement with the Red Cross is personal. She said she was inspired after seeing the organization respond to disasters in the news and after her own family experienced a house fire in which her grandmother passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning.
“The Red Cross was always there after disasters and that motivated me to get involved,” she said. “Being part of this club is an amazing experience because we get to help our community while we’re still in high school.”
Saanvi Mahajan, vice president of the club, said the timing of the drive was intentional.
Members of Buffalo Grove High School’s American Red Cross Club
“This holiday season, we wanted to give the gift of a miracle,” Mahajan said. “There’s a major blood shortage in hospitals, and giving blood is one of the most direct ways to help save lives.”
Students emphasized the need for more donors nationwide. The Red Cross reports that someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, and that only 3% of Americans donate, despite hospitals having no alternative source for blood. Several student organizers also highlighted how simple the process can be.
“You can save up to three lives with one donation,” Scadron said. “It only takes a couple minutes, and the actual draw is just a little pinch—even if you’re scared of needles.”
Participants received thank-you gifts including a $15 Amazon gift card, a free Culver’s ice cream voucher, and a Red Cross T-shirt. Donors also will receive an email from the Red Cross after their blood is processed, letting them know where their donation was sent.
With this year’s success, students say they hope the drive inspires more members of the community to donate in the future.
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