March 15 blood drive planned at Dist. 32

The Health Occupations class at Perryville Area Career and Technology Center and FCCLA Club at Perryville High School have teamed up to host a blood drive March 15. Students and community members are invited to help them saves lives.

The American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 9 am to 2 pm on Friday, March 15 at the Old Senior High gym on the campus of Perry County School District 32.

"Our goal is 104 usable pints of blood," said instructor Sheila Brown, RN. "Students who are age 17 or older, or students age 16 with parental permission, can give blood. They must weigh at least 110 pounds and feel healthy on donation day. Students can pick up permission forms at the Career Center office or visit the District 32 Website at www.perryville.k12.mo.us to print one."

According to the Red Cross, more than 44,000 units of donated blood are needed each day in America. Blood cannot be manufactured; it must come from donors. Thanks to blood drives like the one planned March 15 by the FCCLA Club and Health Occupations class, the American Red Cross supplies about 40 percent of the blood needed by patients in over 3,000 hospitals.

For more information about the local drive, contact Brown at 573-547-7500, Dial 8+446 or mailto:sbrown@perryville.k12.mo.us. For more information about the American Red Cross or blood donation, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood.