Camas High School Student Planning, Hosting Late July Blood Drive

Camas High School student Ria Patel is coordinating an American Red Cross Blood Drive scheduled for July 31 from 1-6 pm at Camas-Washougal Fire Station 42. The fire station is located at 4321 NW Parker Street, Camas, WA 98607.

Patel, who was recently recognized by Camas-Washougal Rotary Club as Sophomore Student of the Month for her academic achievements and community efforts, has been working on this for a few weeks.

“This has always been a goal of mine because it’s pretty inspirational,” said Patel. “It’s inspirational because for every pint of blood you save three lives. I think that’s pretty incredible. I just want to give back to the community.”

To host an event requires extensive work with an American Red Cross coordinator. Patel also works as a treasurer for the Camas Red Cross Club.

To schedule your appointment for this blood drive, please visit www.redcrossblood.org, and enter sponsor code: camashs or contact Ria at 360-823-8315.

Presenting donors will receive a Clark County Fair ticket.

You can streamline your blood drive donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete you pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your donation.

About American Red Cross + Blood Drive

Red Cross volunteers and staff work to deliver vital services – from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping you be prepared to respond in emergencies. They provide disaster relief, lifesaving blood, training and certification, international services, and assistance to military families. The blood drives help ensure there’s enough blood to meet vital needs in this area and around the country.

Since their founding by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the American Red Cross has been dedicated to serving people in need. They received their first congressional charter in 1900 and to this day they are tasked by the federal government with providing services to members of the American armed forces and their families as well as providing disaster relief in the United States and around the world.

From their website: “Even while the Red Cross adapts to meet the changing needs of the people we serve, we always stay true to those roots. Are you familiar with the classic images of Red Cross nurses helping American soldiers and civilian war victims during World War I? In fact, as you read this Red Cross staff and volunteers are still deploying alongside America’s military. Maybe you’ve taken a class through the Red Cross, such as first aid certification or how to swim. Did you know we’ve been offering similar training since the early 1900s? Have you ever given blood or received donated blood? The Red Cross developed the first nationwide civilian blood program in the 1940s and we still provide more than 40% of the blood products in this country.”