DAVID CITY (SNR) – The National Honor Society of Aquinas High School in David City hosted a Red Cross blood drive at the David City Auditorium March 25.
The annual event is usually hosted at the school, but changed locations this year since the school has been closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic
The American Red Cross has an ongoing critical need for blood product donations as uncertainties remain during this pandemic. Blood drives continue to be canceled, and patients need a sufficient blood supply throughout the many weeks of this crisis and beyond, for patients having surgery, accident victims and those battling diseases such as cancer.
The Red Cross implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of the blood donors and staff. 
“Even during this stressful time, the need for blood is constant,” said a March 20 press release from the American Red Cross. “We should all be practicing social distancing, but it’s important to know that blood drives are not considered ‘mass gatherings’ because they are controlled events with trained staff and appropriate safety measures to protect donors and recipients. Donating blood is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood.”
U.S. Surgeon General, Jerome M. Adams recently echoed this statement, saying “you can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future.”
Giving blood is considered an essential community service, so healthy individuals can still donate blood, even in areas that have issued shelter-in-place declarations. The release stated, though, that many blood drives around the country were canceled due to buildings being closed.
“It was really important to not cancel this blood drive,” explained Mr. John Svec, a teacher and guidance counselor and moderator of the National Honor Society at Aquinas.
In David City, the community came through with 137 productive units. Aquinas Catholic had a total of 15 current students, five college alumni and 10 faculty and staff who donated lifesaving blood.
“This was an outstanding witness to the life of Christ that we profess,” Svec said. “Great job, ‘life givers and life savers.’”
