SALT LAKE CITY (March 16, 2021) — Janae Achermann helped save lives by recently hosting an American Red Cross blood drive and earned a $2,500 scholarship as a result of her lifesaving efforts.
As part of the Red Cross Leaders Save Lives winter program, the Salt Lake Community College student hosted a blood drive at Sandy Utah Willow Creek Stake on Dec. 30, 2020, which collected 102 blood donations. As a result, Achermann was entered in a drawing to win a scholarship and was chosen as a winner. Achermann was also awarded a gift card.
Achermann was inspired to hold this blood drive in honor of her best friend, Faith Pitts who passed away due to complications from a pulmonary embolism. “When Faith went in for emergency surgery, she received 110 units of blood and they used all the blood they had at surrounding hospitals, said Achermann. “We will always need blood. Anybody you know could need blood at any given moment as a lifesaving intervention.”
Since Achermann received a scholarship to begin pursing her journey towards higher education, she plans to become a registered nurse. “I’m shocked and so grateful,” said Achermann. “I’m an immigrant who was raised by a single mother and money was always the only thing limiting me academically.”
Blood donors from high school and college blood drives account for about 20% of donations given through the Red Cross during the school year. The Leaders Save Lives program encourages community-minded high school and college students to host blood drives to help maintain the blood supply for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions. As the pandemic wears on in 2021, blood donations remain essential to the health of our communities.
Students can sign up now to participate in the Leaders Save Lives spring program for drives now through May 31, 2021. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/LeadersSaveLives.
Blood donation safety precautions
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.