Lynn English Student Rodas Leads Community Blood Drive at VNA July 12

By Cary Shuman

Betsy Rodas has helped coordinate three blood drives at Lynn English English School with the American Red Cross.

A senior and a cadet with the school’s highly decorated JROTC program under Sgt. Major Ken Oswald, Rodas is branching out citywide for the Lynn Community Blood Drive to be held on Tuesday, July 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at All Care VNA, 210 Market St.

The drive is part of the American Red Cross “Leaders Save Lives Program” and being sponsored by Lynn English High School students, including Rodas.

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy and All Care VNA and Hospice Senior Vice President Jo-Mary Koopman praised Rodas for her leadership and coordination of the blood drive.

“It is incredibly heartwarming and inspiring to see the youth in our community stepping up in such a positive way,” said Kennedy. “Betsy did a tremendous job organizing three successful blood drives at the school, and I have no doubt this community blood drive will be another success. I urge our residents to give a small amount of their time and their blood to support this effort, and, ultimately, to save lives.

“I commend all of you who plan to participate, as well as those of you who made the event possible. We are only as strong as our next generation of leaders, and I am confident we can look to the future with hope.”

Koopman said, “All Care is proud to support not only the American Red Cross, but Betsy Rodas and Lynn English High School as well. We feel very fortunate to be in a position to participate in an event like this blood drive to provide education, raise awareness, and increase accessibility to vital resources for our community as a whole.”

Rodas credited Sgt. Major Oswald for her initial connection with the American Red Cross.

“I was always shy and never would have organized a community wide project like this without my participation in the JROTC at Lynn English,” said Rodas.

The 17-year-old daughter of Anna Escobar, Betsy attended the Ingalls Elementary School and Thurgood Marshall Middle School before enrolling at Lynn English in the ninth grade. She hopes to study neuroscience and minor in philosophy at a college in the Boston area following her high school graduation in 2017.

Lynn English senior Betsy Rodas (right) is pictured with Jo-Mary Koopman, senior vice president of All Care VNA and Hospice, outside the VNA headquarters where the Lynn Community Blood Drive will be held on July 12.

Lynn English senior Betsy Rodas (right) is pictured with Jo-Mary Koopman, senior vice president of All Care VNA and Hospice, outside the VNA headquarters where the Lynn Community Blood Drive will be held on July 12.

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