Blood Bash Draws Hundreds of Donors and Units of Blood
The Barnesville 42nd annual Blood Bash brought in more than 300 donors who provided 262 productive units of blood on May 8 in the high school gymnasium.
Each May, the Barnesville Exempted Village School District partners with Vitalant, the nation’s largest independent, nonprofit blood services provider, to put on the Blood Bash.
The Student Council led the blood drive, while the National Honor Society, Key Club and Junior Class assisted in staffing the event.
The units of blood collected at the drive could potentially benefit more than a thousand people, according to student council advisor Chris Pack, including those at WVU Medicine Barnesville Hospital. Vitalant will distribute the blood products to local hospitals in the region and a portion of the double reds are available for research facilities that help develop treatment opportunities.
“With Memorial Day coming up the need for blood will be critical,” he said. “The more donations that we collect also increases the size of the scholarships that we award.”
Although the school was short of its goal, the committee is already planning better outreach to encourage donations next year, Pack said. He added that the post COVID-19 era has resulted in lower numbers.
Pack noted the event ran smoothly with short wait times. He hopes people recognize the faster process and mentioned that scheduling appointments almost eliminates wait times.
“We take great pride in being among the largest high school blood drives in the country and that would not be possible without the great community support we receive in western Belmont County,” Pack said.
While donors were inside giving their blood, students who signed up donors spent the day in the “great Fourth of July picnic” atmosphere in honor of America250. Students participated in a hot dog eating contest where sophomore Noah Wharton was crowned the Dairy Queen Hot Dog eating champion finishing two dogs ahead of runner ups Brady Treherne and Antoni Schuerle.
Students participate in the Dairy Queen Hot Dog eating contest at the 42nd annual Blood Bash. Photo Provided by student council advisor Chris Pack.
Food and treats were available, such as Fairyland ice cream and lemonade, cotton candy and popcorn provided by the student council and baked goods from the culinary arts classes. Students also enjoyed contests, including wiffle ball and rock-paper-scissors tournaments.
“We are looking at increasing the entertainment and fun options for students to participate in at our 43rd Blood Bash tentatively planned for May 7, 2027,” Pack said.
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