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The CAS Blood Drive through Dany's Eyes!
Dany Kanaan Gr. 11

Grade 11 students Samy Guessous , Neil Chaoui and Dany Kanaan  came across a devastating article about Morocco's blood banks. Realizing the blood shortage was so high they took on the lead of organizing a successful blood drive to raise blood donations!

Towards the end of 2020, Grade 11 students Samy, Neil and I came across a devastating article about Morocco's blood banks. The article "COVID-19 Crisis Brings Blood Banks in Morocco to Critical Low" by Morocco World News named Casablanca as the most prevalent victim to the deficit levels citing Dr. Mohamed Benajiba, director of the National Center for Blood Transfusion (CNTS). 

Instantly, we knew we had to do something. We struck up a call and discussed the idea: we wanted to fight the shortages. We wanted to bring the Casablanca American Community together once more after such a long and overwhelming break, to fight for a cause. Therefore, it was only right to organize a blood drive. 

Soon enough, we contacted the head doctor at the Centre Regional de Transfusion Sanguine, Dr. Hind Zejli, and met virtually over the December break. We laid out a plan and understood all the medical aspects of such a rigorous task during such a challenging time. 

With our administration's help, our project supervisor, Ms. Mitchem, and dedicated People to People volunteers, two months later, the Blood Drive took place on February 13th, 2021. Aimed at our CAS community, we had an overwhelming 70+ family members, staff, students, and alumni present to show their support as blood donors. From 10 am to 2 pm, we shared the love and joy of participating in such an exciting experience. 

The event was truly one of a kind. For the first time, we had alumni, staff, students, parents, and family members of CAS all together, at once, fighting for one cause. As students, it was a blast from the past to hear Alumni stories while also getting life-changing wisdom from our predecessors. Parents once again immersed in the true spirit of CAS after such a long break while catching up with our teachers. As for our seniors, the drive was even more special. It was their first time donating blood! 

The doctors and nurses from the center were thrilled with the turnout and could not reiterate their appreciation for the work we put into bringing such a significant number of donors in just 4 hours. 

We want to thank everyone who graciously took the time to show up on Saturday for their bravery and selflessness. It is truly up to us, the one's in a privileged position, to make a change and fight for our community. In such a trying period, our efforts count even more! 

We want to take this opportunity to thank our project advisor, Ms. Mitchem. Her guidance, dedication, and patience during every step of the project played a vital role in making the drive such a success: Thank you!

We look forward to seeing you soon after receiving such positive feedback from the center and all our donors. 

-Dany Kanaan