Ealy Elementary Blood Drive Shores Up Low Supply

Teachers, parents and even the Ealy Elementary principal agreed to give blood on Friday during a drive sponsored by Ealy's Parent Teacher Organization.

Twenty-nine pints of blood were donated to the American Red Cross during the drive. 

“The teachers of Ealy really stepped up to the plate, and the principal, Roderick MacNeal, donated blood,” said PTO president Marla Wujczyk, 45, who has one child attending Ealy and another at .  “It’s so great how many people responded from Ealy and around the community.”

“I keep hearing about a lack of blood supply and I like to be of service,” said Jonny Kest, 43, of Birmingham, as he donated blood. “It’s an easy decision for me.”

Wujczyk pointed out that the Red Cross considers a donation of one pint to potentially save three lives and that recently, winter weather conditions have hurt the blood supply of area hospitals.

“Because of the snowstorms, 750 blood drives in the area have been canceled this winter,” said registered nurse supervisor Julie Flora, 43, of Clarkston. “We’ve been very busy this afternoon, so it’s very encouraging.”

Flora added that the Red Cross considers a successful blood drive to donate 25-30 pints.

Gayle Freed, 41, of West Bloomfield, who has one child attending and another attending Orchard Lake Middle School, said that she was happy to volunteer and supported Wujczyk’s recruiting effort.

“Parents and teachers are this school are dedicated,” she said. “It’s their nature to give back. There’s a core group of moms out there who can be counted on, but we reached past that today.”

Kest agreed. "We all think about doing this sort of thing, but (Marla) did it," he said.

To learn more about blood donation opportunities, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733 2767).