High school organization hosts blood drive

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Area donors were able to donate blood at an annual FFA blood drive Monday at Savannah High School.

Students, staff and the community were able to make a donation at the blood drive in the Auxiliary Gym. The school's goal was to reach 50 units of blood donated.

Jessica Aeschliman, Savannah High School instructor and FAA advisor, said all the blood donated will go toward the local hospitals and the Community Blood Drive.

"They're going to be going to our local hospitals in northwest Missouri," she said. "So, local is somewhat relative in that sense but we have some that's going to be hospital ready as it leaves here, and that will go directly to the closest hospitals."

Aeschliman provided breakfast on Monday morning for all the students and staff members who donated blood to help with iron and sugar levels.

Aeschliman said it is important to donate blood because it is likely that most people will be impacted and need blood at some point in their life.

"It's something that is bound to happen at some point in our lives that we're going to be directly impacted by, whether it's us, whether it's somebody we love. So, this is a, in my opinion, easy way to make a big contribution in the community," Aeschliman said.

Codi Barsch, senior at Savannah High School, said she wanted to donate blood because she likes to give back to her community.

"I am so blessed to have these opportunities that I do and I just want to give opportunities to other people -- whether it's through just blood or encouraging others to donate blood because we've been in a shortage recently and it's just never, never a good deal," Barsch said.

Barsch also said it is meaningful to see her classmates and staff members supporting the cause and donating as well.

"Seeing other people just around me, that I know, that I'm comfortable with is just really encouraging," Barsch said.

Barsch said she hopes what the high school is doing can increase the blood supply.

"I'm just really happy to see Savannah High School really stepping up and along with our community, just being able to give back to people who just need blood," Barsch said.

Aeschliman said this year was a great turnout and she is excited about the next blood drive in the spring.