TOWAMENCIN- With a three-day weekend before them, many high schoolers find it difficult to concentrate on anything other than their plans for the break.  However, over two-hundred students of North Penn High School forgot about their weekend agendas and set their minds on helping others.

For the second time this school year, North Penn hosted a blood drive through the American Red Cross.  On Thursday, February 16, Red Cross staff members arrived at the high school gymnasium and prepared to accept blood donations from students and faculty.

Mrs. Megan Schmidt, a teacher who supervised the drive, proudly commended the North Penn students who participated.

“We have thirty student volunteers who are helping with the event, and over two-hundred students have signed up to donate,” Schmidt said. “It’ll be a good take today, and we’re looking to increase the numbers as the day goes on.”

North Penn students showed up in the dozens as the day progressed, all gladly sacrificing their time and blood for the chance to help others.

“You can save a person’s life in the ten minutes it takes to give your blood,” explained Maura Janoski, a senior who donated in the morning.

“I’m donating because it seems like the right thing to do,” stated junior Mike Nadlinger.

Besides offering blood, other students in the National Honor Society (NHS) assisted in running the drive.

“The NHS has helped put together the blood drive for North Penn,” said senior Julia Sardero, “and it’s a really good cause, because there are a lot of people who need blood.”

“There are so many kids at North Penn, so it’s a great place to hold a blood drive to save lives,” added Seema Sajjan, a senior who also volunteered.

While donors lay prone on cots positioned on one side of the gymnasium, American Red Cross workers moved around with professional efficiency, ensuring that every donor was taken care of and the blood donation went smoothly.

Jacqueline Gonzales, who has been in the American Red Cross for a year, began working in hospital facilities and doctors’ offices before participating in blood drives.

“We’re dealing with people on an everyday basis who want to give back to other people,” Gonzales said. “You can’t get that anywhere else, so I find that very rewarding.”

The attitude of the American Red Cross workers was perfectly summed up in the words of their leader.  Ruben Martell, the team supervisor for the Red Cross contingent visiting North Penn, served in the United States Army for twelve years.  While a member of a battlefield trauma unit, Martell lost friends to light wounds because they couldn’t get them blood fast enough.  He has continued serving his fellow citizens by ensuring that those in need always have access to blood.

“This is in retrospect for all of my military brothers and sisters who didn’t make it,” Martell said. “I’m doing this for them.”