WILMINGTON, Del. – The Salesianum School fall semester blood drive booked a robust 63 appointments on December 11th with mostly students complimented by faculty and parents, while the fifth annual Salesianum Alumni Association followed up a few days later with another 12 appointments.
The school drive’s efforts resulted in an outstanding 62 units of blood collected, Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) Account Manager Gia Rivera said. The Sallies effort continued on Friday with alumni and friends.
Among those donating at the school blood drive were Gabe Tiernan, 16, a sophomore, and his mom, Anitza Tiernan. Both were first-time donors with BBD.
Jack Cunningham, 17, a junior, and Chase Kennedy, 17, also a junior, also donated because of their interest in entering the medical field.
“I’m in HOSA, and a group of us decided could give blood today,” Cunningham said, referring to the high school club of future medical professionals. “We realize what it means to other people to give back.”
Cunningham donated for the second time while it was the first time for Kennedy.
“My passion is medicine and helping” he said. “I want to be a doctor someday, so I want to help save somebody’s life.”
Also among the Salesianum students donating were Maksim Schreuder, sophomore, 16; Meric Narvaez, senior, 17; Trevor Bengal, senior, 18; Steven Zeitler, senior, 17; and Andrew Brown, senior, 18.
Among the Sallies staff donating were French teacher Amanda Matarese, Kate Looney from the main office, and Molly Ontiveros from the Wellness Center.
“I try to donate every time you have a blood drive here,” Ontiveros said.
In addition, the BBD volunteer at this blood drive helping Supervisor, Collections Jackie Rivera was Kathleen Greenbaum, who has a special connection to Salesianum. Her son went to Sallies.
Speaking of Salesianum alumni, the graduates (and friends) put in a solid effort at the fifth annual Salesianum Alumni Association Blood Drive held at Abessinio Stadium, collecting 13 units. BBD Communications Specialist Tony Prado asked that his double red cell donation on Thursday, December 12 in the Middletown Donor Center count toward the Sallies Alumni blood drive as well since BBD needed his donation of B negative blood the day before.
Sallies Alumni blood drive coordinator Joseph Rapposelli, and Mike Querey, both from the Sallies class of 1990, rolled up their sleeves for this holiday blood, per tradition. Rapposelli, who works with Rivera to host this drive, said he wants to start earlier next year to make the alumni drive even bigger.
Salesianum alumni Tim Ratsep (1993), and Chris McCreary (2011) were also repeat donors at this blood drive, as well as Paul Dorsey (1985).
