Smashing Turnout for the 41st Barnesville Blood Bash

(WTRF Photo)

by Lisa Gallagher, Barnesville Area News

Photos by Hayden Fox, BHS Student

During the 41^st Barnesville Blood Bash, 308 units of blood were successfully donated. Every donation will go directly to local patients at Barnesville Hospital or throughout the country to Vitalant’s other facilities. Maya Santana, Vitalant communications manager, shared, “Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion, which makes every donation extremely vital for patients, experiencing cancer, trauma injuries, or patients who have blood disorders.”

Principal Ron Clark said, “The Blood Bash is a great opportunity to allow our students to be involved in a community event.” The Student Council and the National Honor Society members volunteered to assist with check-in, serve donors food and drinks in the canteen, and hand out T-shirts. Students who got donors or donated themselves were released from classes to spend the day enjoying time outside with friends.

Community member Marvin Butler has been donating blood and grilling hot dogs at the Blood Bash for 35 years.

Butler remembers getting a hot dog on a napkin with no bun and thought, “I could do better than that.” Butler has been grilling hot dogs and sometimes hamburgers since for his fellow donors.

Principal Clark believes that Mr. Butler is a great role model for the students. “Marvin Butler exemplifies being a good neighbor by giving back to his community,” stated Clark.

If you were unable to donate at the Blood Bash, visit Vitalant’s website to find a Vitalant blood drive or donation center near you.

Blood Bash is all about friends, food, and fun!