Bellefontaine High School students and staff recently rolled up their sleeves and donated blood.

The BHS DARE Club coordinated a blood drive with Solvita (formerly the Community Blood Center) on March 18th.

There was a blood drive in the auxiliary gym from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.

A community blood drive followed from 3 until 6 p.m.

During the morning drive, 42 units of blood were collected, which surpassed the goal of 38 units.

This will save 126 lives.

There were 20 first-time donors.

For the afternoon community blood drive, 10 units were collected. This was 100 percent of the goal.

The blood collected will save 30 saves.

Each donor was a first-time donor!

The BHS DARE blood drives collected 68 total units of blood this year. This will save 204 lives.

BHS DARE Club Advisor Matt Gallaway was impressed with the giving spirit.

Gallaway said, “I would like to personally thank all who supported our efforts this year. I’m impressed with the willingness of BHS, BCS, the City of Bellefontaine, and Logan County communities to rally in times of need. I’m most astounded by the opportunities these events provide for our students. This is truly a student-run organization, and they did a fantastic job this year! Special thanks to BHS seniors Lexi Buffkin and Emily Taylor for running the community blood drive with one day's notice!”

Solvita reports that blood is needed every two seconds. About one in seven people entering a hospital needs blood. Blood is always needed for treatment of accident victims, cancer patients, hemophiliacs, and surgery patients.

Photo: A donor at the BHS community blood drive on March 18th.