Burnsville High School blood drive is top collector in the metro area

Burnsville High School (BHS) received state recognition for securing first place in the most blood donations collected in the metro area, thanks to student and staff donations and the efforts of the BHS blood drive committee.

Through three blood drives held in partnership with Memorial Blood Centers during last school year, the BHS blood drive collected 284 units of blood—resulting in an estimated 852 lives saved!

“It’s a beautiful thing when high schoolers can come together to support a great cause,” said Lorena Cortes Vasquez, committee member.

The blood drive committee is a part of the HOSA-Future Health Professionals Club, which empowers students to become leaders in the global health community through education, collaboration and experience. HOSA advisors Ronna Johnson and Anne Werner-Dempsey support blood drive efforts but it’s really a student-led endeavor that involves coordinating, fundraising, marketing, community engagement and more.

"The blood drives represent the uplifting spirit of the Burnsville community, with so many students and staff taking time out of their day to give back and connect in a shared space," said blood drive coordinator and BHS senior Feven Tesfaye. "When you walk into the gym, where the drive takes place, there’s a real warmth, as conversations, laughter and genuine connection occur between donors." 

Blood drive committee members receive volunteer hours for their service, but they can also qualify for financial scholarships to help support their continuing education. 

The blood drive committee includes the following students: Sabrina Abdi, Vanlyda Bun, Allie Butler, Asha Gure, William Lenhardt, Sophia Lovan, Amaya Martinez, Charley Mitchell, Olu Oladejo, Alison Perez Penaloza, McKenzie Powell, Feven Tesfaye and Lorena Cortes Vasquez.

HOSA plans to host a winter blood drive at Burnsville High School on January 29. 

A special thank you goes out to Burnsville Chick-Fil-A, Donut Star, Dominos, Culvers and Red Savoy Pizza for their generous support and donating food for the event.