Cochrane High School remains in top spot for the National High School Blood Challenge after joining the competition for the first time six months ago.
“As ambassadors, we are surprised at the amount of support Cochrane has given us over the last few months – it’s really exciting,” said Alexis Miskiewicz Tomaszyk, student and young blood challenge initiator.
Cochrane High School joined the challenge after six students spearheaded the campaign in September and by the end of February the school had surpassed its humble pledge of 50 units more than seven times over with 371 units donated.
“You can start donating blood when you are 17 and we decided this would be the best time to get people in our school involved. We all thought it was really important to donate blood and it gave us a way to give back,” Miskiewicz Tomaszyk said.
Throughout the blood drive, organizers said the school has been in the top two spots for the entire competition.
“Community involvement will be key in giving us the boost to become the top high school in Canada with the most units of blood donated on its behalf,” Miskiewicz Tomaszyk said.
Last year, participating Alberta schools combined to donate 872 units and current numbers (to the end of February) already show more than 1,500 units donated in the 2016-2017 school year.
The Give Life High School program was established through Canadian Blood Services to provide students with their blood type, create awareness and inform students about the ongoing need for blood, and help them be part of life-saving roles. It also provides students with the opportunity to participate as a first time blood donor with their peers.
People can donate multiple times within the time frame of the challenge and anyone 17 years old and older can donate toward Cochrane High School’s goal through the registration code COCH657981.
To register visit blood.ca
The competition ends May 31.
