St. Martin High student organizes blood drive

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, one St. Martin High School student has volunteered his time to help others and that’s just what he did tonight.

The life of a high school senior can be a very busy one, but for St. Martin High School student Byron Swetman, volunteerism is at the top of his list. “It’s great to be able to organize everybody, but the support from everyone is just crazy.”

Since March, Swetman has been a volunteer with the American Red Cross since March. Fast forward to now, the senior has taken the big leap of setting up a large scale blood drive all on his own from advertising to recruiting donors.  Denise Smith with the American Red Cross said, “I’m very proud of him.  For a young high school student to really take it by the reins and do everything.”

As the pandemic continues and other medical procedures resume, Swetman says continuing to give blood is important. “The need for blood has only gone up during COVID-19, and the Red Cross and I’d say every phlebotomist out there has done their part in making sure the need for blood is met.”

“We still are in a critical need, so any point in the year is a good time to give blood, but definitely right now, patients are having surgeries again, things are getting back to a little bit of normalcy.”

With over a hundred lives helped by Byron’s blood drive, he’s already looking forward to the next one he can host. “We’re looking towards another drive in the Christmastime, but for right now, we’re making sure the need’s today and tomorrow, and the next day.”