The Vitalant buses were parked outside the front building of Loretto Academy. Inside the buses was where the donors would give blood and outside were the food and refreshments. Photo courtesy of Viviana Liano.
The Vitalant buses were parked outside the front building of Loretto Academy. Inside the buses was where the donors would give blood and outside were the food and refreshments. Photo courtesy of Viviana Liano.
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Spring into giving

Byline photo of Viviana Liano
Viviana Liano, Loretto News Editor
April 10, 2026

In this year’s spring blood drive, students, faculty and families came together to donate blood, helping to support Vitalant and local hospitals by making a meaningful impact by giving the gift of life.

The spring blood drive was hosted on March 26, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. by the National Honor Society organizing and planning the event with 90% of donor participation.

Members also brought dozens of homemade baked goods to raise money for the cause, selling them in front of the Vitalant buses.

The baked goods were a fan favorite in addition to specialized donor t-shirts, water and snacks.

The staff and volunteer members guided each donor to a bus where they checked their vitals and then were able to donate the blood.

After they donated, the donors were greeted back outside the buses with refreshments and snacks.

Every staff member and volunteer was attentive and welcoming, especially for the younger students who had never donated blood before.

Despite the nerves, the students and staff supported each other to exceed the goal that had been set.

With the Loretto and El Paso community coming together, they exceeded Vitalant’s goal of 160 units with the final amount of 178 units.

In addition to the exceeding amount of donations reached, this year, a donation of blood was able to help save a pregnant woman’s life, putting into perspective how important these drives are.

Each blood donation saves and changes a life, even multiple people can benefit from just one donation.

By the Loretto community coming together, they support not only each other but all people around the city, reminding us how important it is to unite for a cause.

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