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Erie High students promote March 9 sickle-cell blood drive at council meeting
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Summary
Members of the Erie High School Red Cross Club presented their community work and announced a March 9 blood drive at the Booker T Washington Center offering sickle-cell screening and donor incentives; councilors pledged support and help publicize the event.
Members of the Erie High School American Red Cross Club presented to the Erie City Council on Feb. 18 about volunteer projects and an upcoming blood drive focused on sickle-cell awareness and matching donors.
Club members Michaela Pachaco and Danaya Emerson outlined recent activities — including Veterans Day participation, wreaths for veterans and clothing drives for a refugee center — and described plans for a March 9 blood drive at the Booker T Washington Center from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The club said it will offer free sickle-cell screening prior to donation, free A1C testing during March, donor incentives including a free T-shirt (while supplies last) and Amazon gift certificates delivered by email.
"Our blood drive will be hosted March 9, 12 to 6PM at the Booker T Washington Center," Michaela Pachaco said. "We will be offering free sickle cell screenings prior to donating... donors will receive a free t shirt while supplies last as well as a $20 Amazon gift certificate and $15 Amazon gift certificate via email." Councilors asked for a flyer and pledged to share the event information through council channels.
Why it matters: Club leaders emphasized that sickle-cell patients often need antigen matches more commonly found among Black donors; presenters framed the drive as both a community health event and an educational opportunity for students to lead service projects.
Next steps: Presenters will provide the flyer to council staff for distribution and the city will help publicize the March 9 drive.
