Cure Cancer week ran from October 31 to November 4, with multiple activities including two bake sales, letter writing, penny wars, and of course, the blood drive. The goal of having these activities is spreading awareness for cancer, and all of the funds that the Step Up Club and the Key Club raise this week will go towards the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and curing cancer. 

Lucille Proul (‘23), a member of the Step Up Club, explained that since COVID happened, there has been a blood donation shortage. According to the American Red Cross, “Hospitals need blood for surgery, cancer treatment, and to treat chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries.” This blood drive works to spread awareness, which could aid in solving this shortage problem. Lucille explained how her father influenced the idea of introducing the blood drive last year. 

Lucille’s father had suffered from Leukemia, a blood cancer that decreases the production of normal blood cells, so she felt she had to do something about the shortage. “He wasn’t able to see, he wasn’t able to do certain things because of his blood shortage and it was something that we could solve. We have a big body of people to supply blood that can help.” With all of the students, faculty, and community members we have at Bishop’s and in La Jolla, the Key Club and the Step Up Club are hoping that with the blood drive they can raise more awareness for cancer and get more people to participate in helping the cancer community. 

Lucille explained that last year, “we got a total of 28 units of blood, and that’s equivalent to saving 84 lives in just one day.” The step up club also mentioned that around 20 people who donated blood have never donated blood before. With all of the donations from community members last year, the clubs hoped for even more support this year. Lilian Franqui (‘25), a member of Key club, explains, “we have the choice to make a difference and having this week dedicated towards philanthropic work for the Leukemia Lymphoma society can make a lot of change.” 

This Monday, 33 people donated blood, and 4 people donated for the very first time. 27 units of blood were collected for hospitals, which is equal to saving 81 people’s lives in just one day. This blood drive was also the biggest of five blood drives that happened in San Diego on Monday. 

Everyone who participates in the blood drive is making a difference in the community, and this Cure Cancer Week and finding a way to help those with cancer is something the Step Up Club and Key Club strongly believe in. Emi Ayala-Sekiguchi (‘24), a member of the Step Up Club, explains that “Bringing more opportunities at our school to volunteer allows us to break the idea that cancer is impossible to fix, and it empowers us, even as students, to make a difference.” The blood drive was successful, and the impressive results of the blood drive are letting us know that change can happen, and we as a community can make change happen and make an impact. Brooke Flitscluster (‘23), a member of the Step Up club, concluded, “even though it’s just one tiny school, we can make a difference together.”