Orono is excited to host its second blood drive of the school year on Monday, March 10, where students will volunteer to give blood in the Activity Center from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.
This drive is dedicated to Weston Paszkiewicz, a third grader at Orono fighting leukemia. Weston is receiving blood and bone marrow regularly.
All Orono students and community members are invited to donate as long as they are 16 or older. There will be two forms to complete: one paper form if you are 16, and an electronic form for all participants.
On the same day, the student senate is hosting a bone marrow registry. This registry is only for those over the age of 18. Registrants will not donate anything during the blood drive. Instead, signing up with the NMDP may lead to future donations when a suitable recipient is found.
Registering involves answering questions online and swabbing your cheek. After that, the NMDP will test and match you with a patient, which may take a few months to multiple years. This can allow you to donate to those like Weston who receive bone marrow transplants in the future
Ms. Nohner has released a Google Calendar sign-up sheet to reserve your spot to donate blood. This is a good way to show support to a fellow Orono student and help those who need it. For further questions, email or talk to Ms. Nohner before or on Monday.
