VASJ students save 150 lives at Red Cross Blood Drive

The students in VASJ's Red Cross Club held their first blood drive of the 2015-16 school year and it was the most successful drive in years. A total of 63 students volunteered to donate and the eligible donors collected over 50 pints of blood which will save 150 lives. 

"Every pint we collect impacts three lives," says Mrs. Melissa Grai, VASJ's Red Cross Club moderator, junior class moderator and science chair. Many students are nervous about donating but most follow through with it anyway. 

"I am impressed at their bravery to step up and help someone they have never and will most likely never meet," says Mrs. Grai. 

Although Mrs. Grai oversees the drive, she relies heavily on the students in the Red Cross Club to help execute the event. 

"The seniors really stepped up," Mrs. Grai says. 

One of those seniors to step up was Dan Gail. 

According to Mrs. Grai, "Dan Gail is a super star." 

VASJ Red Cross Club Moderator Mrs. Melissa Grai and Red Cross Club President Dan Gail '16. 

Dan originally got involved with the Red Cross Club as a sophomore when his brother Connor Gail '14 was a senior. Three years later, he is now the club's president. 

"It's a great opportunity to use my leadership skills in a way that impacts lives," Dan says of his involvement in VASJ's Red Cross Club. 

VASJ will hold another blood drive on Monday, January 25 in the gym from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The blood drives are open to the public so community members can help VASJ save even more lives.