Every year, the small gym transforms for one of the most impactful events of the year: the annual Blood Drive. Led by Mr. Dowler and organized through the service club, the event is more than just an opportunity to miss class- it offers students the ability to make a real and lasting impact beyond the classroom.
Behind the scenes, organizing the Blood Drive is no small task. “It starts with me contacting our Red Cross representative,” Mr. Dowler shared. From there, the process involves securing approval from the administration, coordinating with custodial staff, and engaging student volunteers to promote the event. “We post on social media, hang flyers, and encourage students to spread the word.”
Mr. Dowler’s commitment to blood donation runs deep. Having donated since high school, he recently reached his third gallon milestone. “It’s something my family has always been involved in,” he said. His blood type carries a rare CMV-negative marker, which makes it especially valuable for premature babies and patients with weakened immune systems. “I wouldn’t have known that if I didn’t donate,” he added. “It’s a simple process that can help save lives- it’s worth it.”
Despite fears some students may have, Mr. Dowler is confident the experience is manageable. “Many people get nervous about the needle, but once they make it past the iron test, which honestly hurts more, the rest goes by quickly. We try to ease those nerves by talking with students and keeping the atmosphere calm.”
The Red Cross provides critical support, from staffing and testing to logistical tools like QR code registration and promotional materials. They also offer Amazon gift card incentives and track donations via their app. This year, 114 Mendham volunteers signed up, the maximum number allowed, and 72 successful pints were collected. The goal was 100, but an unexpected staffing shortage reduced capacity. “Even though we fell short of our goal, those 72 pints will go on to save over 200 lives,” Mr. Dowler said. “That’s something to be proud of.”
Donations are refrigerated and shipped directly to North Carolina for testing before being distributed to hospitals across the East Coast. Donors can track the journey of their blood using the Red Cross app, which shows when it’s tested, stored, and ultimately sent to a hospital in need.
This year’s drive was noted for its smooth execution, and new partnerships made the event even more impactful. Culinary students, led by Mrs. Demiceli, baked muffins for donors, and several faculty members joined to give blood. A few students even set records for fasted donation times, including a sophomore, Todd, who tied with Mrs. Brandt, a professional donor, both finishing in under five minutes.
Feedback from donors and volunteers was largely positive, though some suggested playing movies during the event to help ease anxiety. Despite a name mix-up and some last-minute cancellations, the event ran smoothly. Even those who had a tough time, like one student who nearly fainted, said they’d gladly do it again.
Looking ahead, Mr. Dowler hopes to expand the drive by adding more staff and increasing the number of available donation slots. Mr. Dowler noted, “If we had that nurse, we probably would have gotten close to our max pints donated, which is 86.”
With plans to continue improving each year, students can look forward to an even more efficient and successful blood drive next time around.
