By Stephen Twentyman (Oct. 22, 2003)

Eighty-two members of the Falls Church community gave 68 pints of blood, a full eight over INOVA Blood Donor Services’ projection of 60, at the Northern Virginia Grad Center on Friday. The blood drive, spearheaded by the Class of 2004, brought students, teachers, and members of the Falls Church community together in a gesture of altruism and goodwill.
 

"I think it’s impressive that a teacher would give up an entire planning period to make that sacrifice," English teacher and senior class sponsor Michael Hoover said. This is the first time the senior class has conducted a blood drive, although an annual George Mason one, run by the SCA, traditionally takes place in the spring, when most seniors are 18. This year, it changed as it was discovered that a great many of the 17-year-old seniors, who are permitted to donate with parental permission, were very interested in donating blood. This revelation opened the floodgates for seniors to make donations and a fall drive was planned.

Jamie Dodson proudly models her new T-shirt,  graciously given by INOVA Blood Services to  thank donors. (Lasso Online photo)

Hoover elaborated, "We were looking for a project for the seniors to focus their energies on, and the seniors wanted to address the crucial blood shortage in the area. This is just one of several charitable activities that the Class of 2004 will undertake, including a fashion show in the spring to benefit the Falls Church homeless shelter and the Abigail Alliance, a charity for cancer drugs established in the memory of Abigail Burroughs, a 1998 graduate of Mason who died of cancer a few years ago. In addition, seniors have already provided support and refreshments for the annual field day."

The blood drive, previously housed in the gym or a bloodmobile parked outside the school, was moved to the Northern Virginia Grad Center this year. The bloodmobile was ruled out because of the mass of donors, and the organizers did not want to disrupt P.E. classes in the gym or scruff up the newly refinished floor. Remembering the grad center’s willingness to accommodate George Mason’s IB exams, Hoover turned to that facility.

"I would like to thank Virginia Tech for generously allowing us to use one of their biggest rooms, and especially thank facilities coordinator Ms. Barbara Barrell," he said.

The blood drive brought together generations, as at least six parent-child couples gave their vital fluid. The ranks of donors were also swelled by advertisements in the Falls Church News-Press and school board publications, bringing 82 willing participants.

The drive was staffed by student volunteers, who went to the Grad Center during open periods to check in donors and keep the operation running smoothly. Katie Bernhart, who devoted much of her day to this task, talked about why she did so:

"I helped out because I wasn’t able to give blood. I knew [of the shortage], and that made me want to help as much as I could. I would have been in the room helping the doctors and nurses if it weren’t against the law. I have always thought of going into the medical field, and I felt that the experience may be useful if I ever did decide to pursue such an occupation." 

Senior Stephen Twentyman gave his thoughts on the whole experience: "To be honest, I was completely terrified going into it… I wanted to give blood to help people, but I’m one of the most needle-phobic people alive, but I sucked it up, sat down in the chair, and 

I felt great for doing so."

INOVA representative Austin Rehfield summed up his thoughts: "The senior class did an awesome job. The grad center was a great location to do the drive, and everyone at our end couldn’t be more pleased. I really thank you all so much."