News : VSHS Health Class blood drive helps those in need while teaching

B -A- Her-O: Shirts encourage blood donating at VSHS.

Marisa Chavez observes as Alvin Long donates blood in VSHS cafeteria.

Kaley Womochil observes as Health Class peer Molly Drake donates blood Tuesday at VSHS.

Dozens donated during the VSHS blood drive Tuesday.

Health Class members pose for a photo during blood drive.

The Vinton-Shellsburg High School health class and the Badger-Hawkeye Red Cross teamed up again on Tuesday for a blood drive at the high school. Teacher Sue Noren and the students helped plan the blood drive.

The students came up with a unique idea for t-shirts to promote the event: Using donor bags marked A-positive, B-positive and O-negatve, they created a message that reads: Be A Hero.

Dozens of people donated blood there yesterday, including many who regularly donate a few times each year. There were a few first-time donors, as well. While the donated blood is primarily used in hospitals in the region (northeast Iowa, and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois), it is available through the Red Cross to every hospital in the United States. There is a constant need for blood products to assist accident victims, and surgery patients, especially transplants. The Red Cross especially seeks O-negative donors because that blood can be used in emergencies for people of all blood types.