Lafayette High School hosted a community blood drive Tuesday to honor a junior student who has overcome more adversity than most. Jaymeson "Jay" Burns, a junior at Lafayette High School recently had a heart transplant back in February. Now, the school is using a blood drive to support Burns and to bring awareness to the need for blood across America.
Lafayette senior Quentin Leake said this was his first time donating blood. Though he was a bit shaky at first, overall, the experience was great. “Something happened with the needle, but they got the other arm, and it was all good.
And they were helping me through,” Leake said. He was inspired to donate blood mainly because he was curious about his blood type. However, Leake also knows that donating blood can save lives.
“It'll save up to three lives,” he said. “I want to help other people. And by doing this, it's simple.
” Though Leake isn’t super close with Burns, he said they’ve spoken a few times. Leake says he’s a good kid with a strong sense of determination. “What he's been through is remarkable.
And the fact that he's still coming to school every day and going to band and it's crazy,” Leake said. For Leake, this blood drive is all about helping someone else in need. He encourages other St.
Joseph residents to get involved in future blood drives. “I believe that the good that you put into the world will find its way back to you,” he said. “So I think that me doing this will definitely have a goo.
