April 30, 2025 - The Smithfield High School JROTC Packer Battalion and the Red Cross partnered once again for their last blood drive of the school year. The result ended in having 78 pints donated and the potential to save over 234 lives. Our students were eager to give this time around and we filled every appointment slot even after requesting more from the Red Cross! With cadets running the drive's flow by working stations and donor handoff between those stations, they assisted the Red Cross and donors in managing a smooth drive. With these donations, Smithfield High School aims to maintain their spot as the #1 donating high school in Virginia for the 6th year in a row. We had a banner year collecting 256 pints total in SY 24-25 potentially saving 768 lives!
Cadet Battalion Executive Officer Charlise Albers said, ”We had a very successful year and I am beyond grateful for every donor’s efforts to address the national blood shortage. We strive to continue being Virginia's top donating school. As the next academic year approaches, our Packer Battalion invites you to continue donating. We appreciate all your hard work throughout the year. Go Packers!”
Written by: Cadet Courtney Martin, JROTC Packer Battalion Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Pictured: Senior and four-semester cadet Elijah Moran smiles for the camera as he prepares to donate while the Red Cross phlebotomist looks on.