PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Peter Zucca of Harleysville continues to help save lives by hosting American Red Cross blood drives and has earned a $2,500 scholarship as a result of his lifesaving efforts.
As part of the Red Cross Leaders Save Lives program, the Lipscomb University freshman hosted several blood drives between Dec. 15 2021 and Jan. 15, 2022 at Towamencin Mennonite Church in Kulpsville, which collected a total 130 blood donations. As a result, Zucca was eligible to be entered into a drawing for a scholarship and was chosen as a winner. He was also awarded a gift card.
Zucca organizes dozens of blood drives year year through his own Peter Powerhouse Foundation, a non-profit organization that strives improve the lives of children that are currently fighting childhood cancer by providing donations to pediatric cancer treatment facilities and contributing financial support to researchers to improve the lives of childhood cancer survivors.
The Peter Powerhouse Foundation was born out of Zucca’s desire to give back. At only 10 months old, he was first diagnosed with cancer. In addition to undergoing chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgery, Zucca received 51 units of lifesaving blood. At age 12, he hosted his first blood drive, and since that time, the partnership between his foundation and the Red Cross has staged hundreds of blood drives and helped to save thousands of lives.
The Leaders Save Lives program encourages community-minded high school and college students to host blood drives to help maintain the blood supply for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions.
Students can sign up to host Leaders Save Lives blood drives during seasonal timeframes throughout the year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/LeadersSaveLives.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.