Roll up your sleeves, save a life

Atlantis Charter School is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Blood Drive, hosted by the Medical Career Academy, in partnership with the American Red Cross. This event is an incredible opportunity for students, staff, and community members to make a real difference by donating blood and saving lives. The drive will take place on December 13th, 2024 in the Tritons Gymnasium from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Just like last year, the goal of this event is simple: help meet the critical demand for blood and platelets, which are needed every two seconds across the United States. Every year, countless lives are saved thanks to the generosity of donors, and this year, Atlantis Charter is taking an even bigger role in making sure that life-saving resources are readily available to those in need.

Why Blood Donation Matters

The importance of donating blood cannot be overstated. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, whether due to trauma, surgery, or illness. In fact, a single car accident victim can require up to 100 units of blood, while cancer patients may need regular transfusions. Red blood cells must be used within 42 days of donation, and platelets have an even shorter lifespan of just five days. With such a pressing need, donations are crucial to maintaining a steady and reliable supply.

“Last year’s blood drive was an amazing success, and we are excited to continue this tradition,” said Robert Perry, Director of the Career Academies at Atlantis Charter School. “It’s an opportunity for our students to not only give back to the community but to also gain real-world experience in leadership, event planning, and community engagement.”

Thanks to a generous partnership with the American Red Cross, for every 30 donations made at the event, $250 scholarships will be awarded to Atlantis Seniors to help with their college or career plans!

Learning in Action

The 2nd Annual Blood Drive is not just about making a difference—it’s also a valuable learning experience for the students involved. Students from all the Career Academies will take on key roles throughout the event. Medical Academy students will assist with patient intake, information distribution, and donor monitoring. STEM Academy students will be using 3D printers to create special Triton keychains for each donor. The Media Arts Academy will capture the event on film and create future promotional content to encourage participation.

This collaborative approach not only helps students hone essential skills but also empowers them to see firsthand the impact their efforts can have on their community.

Donating blood is simple and only takes about an hour of your time.

Types of donations available:

Basic Blood Donation: The most common type of donation, during which approximately a pint of ‘whole blood’ is given. This type usually takes about an hour.
Power Red Donation: This type collects red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. Donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Neg, B Neg, or O blood.

To make the process even quicker, you can save up to 15 minutes by completing your pre-donation reading and health history questions in advance through RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass.

We encourage everyone—students, parents, teachers, and community members—to come out and donate. The drive is open to the public, so please spread the word and help us reach our donation goals.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter ACHS. We highly recommend booking an appointment in advance to ensure the event runs smoothly, though walk-ins are also welcome!

We look forward to seeing you there and making a difference, one donation at a time!