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As the month of March rolls around, this sheds light on the American Red Cross organization, helping to donate almost 40% of our nation’s blood. Many South students and teachers, like the Petz family, have been participating in blood donation for almost 25 years, making a point to get out there and help the community.
Melissa Petz, South’s student activities coordinator, has made a point in the last 25 years to donate blood at least three times a year and is an avid donator to the American Red Cross organization. In the past 10 years, she has been more consistent, benefiting herself and others.
“In the past 5 to ten years, I’ve been more consistent just because my schedule has been a little bit more available to (donate),” Melissa Petz said. “I do it because it’s an easy thing to do. It’s well worth my time. It’s just a really good way to give back and get over your fear.”
Melissa Petz, with her encouragement of doing something like this for the community, has influenced her daughter Elizabeth Petz ’26 to participate in blood donation for the first time ever.
“I think (donating) really helped the community because it encourages other people to give blood,” Elizabeth Petz said. “I think donating blood is good because you learn to help other people and feel like you did something impactful after you did it.”
The feeling of bettering your community and the positive impact can also be very good for your health, introducing many health benefits for you and the people being donated to. Melissa Petz, who has a common blood type, choses to give blood to help the many people with her similar blood type.
“It’s very good for your internal body system to replenish that blood that’s lost for your body so it creates more efficiency within your blood and organs,” Melissa Petz said. “The American Red Cross has always been making it very convenient to donate, there’s so many healthy people in our community that take care of themselves nutritionally and physically, that it’s a great opportunity to give back.”
There are so many options for you to donate blood at, making it easy for students like us to donate. This month is all about The American Red Cross, and this cause can help others and help yourself.
“I donated blood through The American Red Cross at Grosse Pointe South, and it took no time at all,” Elizabeth Petz said. “The cause of this organization is something I value and think everyone should give it a try.”
