High School Blood Drive Friday From 9 AM - 2 PM

The is rallying for donors, blood donors.

The Red Cross will be in the school gym from 9 am to 2 pm on Friday.

Event organizer Joanna Ganci, an English teacher at the school, said prospective donors can make an appointment in advance, by emailing her at ganci@swampscott.k12.ma.us, or drop in on the event Friday.

Donating takes about 15 minutes.

There will be plenty of parking since this is mid-year exam week and many students will have completed their testing and not be at the school.

So far 17 people have signed up, many of them teachers. Ganci signed up for the first appointment.

Event organizers include Ganci, Assistant Principal Frank Kowalski and students, among them Paulina Ferullo and Victoria Malatesta.

The students have been recruiting donors during lunch breaks at the school. Students must be 17, or 16 with have a signed parental permission form, to donate. Students must also meet weight requirements.

Organizers are hoping the event draws people from the community.

It's a good thing to do and there's plenty of need, the English teacher said.

"I think that all of us will benefit," she said. "One day we all may be in need."

To give, make sure you bring an ID.

Also, drink plenty of fluids beforehand.

The event was born out of the high school's community service day held before Thanksgiving.