By Matthew Murzyn ‘27
The Crusaders participated in a blood drive on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., students and staff walked down to the north gym and donated up to a pint of blood. The blood was donated to support Blood Cancer Awareness Month and Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
Students at Brother Rice were given the opportunity to donate blood during the school day. Students under 17 years old needed parents’ consent and crusaders 17 or over were free to make the decision on their own. After donating students receive a choice of a water or juice and a variety of sugary and salty snacks.
Generous student Johnathan Szczesniak ‘28 donated his blood for the cause. He said, “It was great; I got to save a lot of people’s lives.”
The nurses take about one pint of blood from each participant, about 450-500 milliliters. Dean of Student Life, Mr. Prunckle went into detail explaining the process behind donating blood. He said, “In the pre-physical, they prick your finger to test your iron, then they test your blood pressure. Next they sit you on the table and prepare your arm; it is like a quick sharp pain in the arm, just like getting a shot. Finally, you are good to go. Make sure you drink water and eat something to avoid issues of fainting and other stuff like that.”
Donating one pint of blood can save up to three people! The benefits of donating blood save people’s lives. Trauma centers require a significant amount of blood for emergencies.
Counselor Mr. Creed and his family run the summer Crusader blood drive in support of his cousin. Mr. Creed said, “My family, we suffered a tragedy when my cousin, Cameron Fahey, Class of 2015, was in a car accident. He had lymphoma and the amount of transfusions he would need is insane. Those blood transfusions came from people who cared and donated blood.”
Seventeen people donated blood on Wednesday, which saved close to 51 lives!
