Friday, May 28, 2021 was the final day of the Schools Unite to Save Lives blood drive competition that was hosted by Guilford High School. Between the 35 Winnebago county schools that participated, there were 1098 registered donors for the Rock River Valley Blood Center. With 221 bags of blood donated, Freeport came in first place and Guilford in second place with 168 bags donated. This competition has brought the community together to help the lowering rate of blood donations that had occurred since the beginning of the pandemic. 

  Shortly after the announcement of the winner of the Schools Unite to Save Lives competition, Guilford held a press conference to honor Freeport High School as the winner. Health teacher Mr. Jeremiah Tews started the conference by highlighting the good that the schools have done by donating blood and how the Health Academy Student Advisory Committee did a commendable thing by creating the idea of the blood drive competition.

   Ms. Allysa Eller, a representative for the Rock River Valley Blood Center who tracked all of the blood coming into the center, spoke briefly about the shortage of blood supply that had happened due to the COVID pandemic this year. As Allysa finished up the principal of Freeport High School came up and accepted her award and thanked all the participating schools for participating in the competition. 

   Although this friendly competition has come to an end, the plentiful bags of blood that were donated will be put to great use by going to people in need.