NORTH BRUNSWICK — Blood is the color blue when it is inside the body’s vascular system.
When it comes in contact with oxygen, it turns red.
But in North Brunswick recently, it took on the color gold.
Patrice Zinnikas, a local Girl Scout since first grade, planned a blood drive for her Girl Scout Gold Award project.
The member of Troop 80320 was inspired by her mother, who had an ectopic pregnancy when Zinnikas was 2 years old and almost lost her life.
“Along with surgery, one pint of blood saved her life. I have always felt indebted to that blood donor who helped save my mother,” she said.
In addition, Zinnikas’ father has type O negative blood, which can be used for a transfusion for someone with any blood type in an emergency.
“He has always felt that it is his duty to donate since his blood type especially is so useful. He donates at least three times a year. He sometimes took my siblings and me to blood drives, and I always wanted to donate just like him,” said the 2011 graduate of North Brunswick Township High School, who is now studying occupational therapy at Elizabethtown College.
Therefore, she planned a blood drive, started an online blog about blood disorders and visited various organizations around town to give presentations on the importance of blood donations for her “One Pint, Three Lives” project.
“Only about 60 percent of the population can donate; however, everyone at a presentation can listen and maybe spread the news of what I have to say. Also, many people do not understand the workings of a blood drive and shy away from donating because of this fear. I felt that if I educated the community, I could relieve the fears of many people who would then go out and donate.”
Through her efforts, Zinnikas was able to assist the New Jersey Blood Center in collecting 39 pints of blood, but “feel(s) that more can still be done.”
“Education about blood donation should continue because blood will always be in need. … Blood drives depend on the good will and patience of community members,” she said.
All in all she spent more than 100 hours working on the project over an eight-month period, but is “forever grateful” to everyone who participated and donated.
Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].