Cabrillo Scores Above Average for One of Its Own

By Catherine Marshall Smith

Click here for more pics.

  This year at Cabrillo, when we returned from summer, one of our old friends was not with us.   We learned that Judy Blake, our counselor and teacher since 1992 is home overcoming cancer.  At first the news was sobering but we realized over time that the most powerful antidote for grief is helping.  With the spirit Cabrillo is famous for possessing, we offered flowers, phone calls, and dinners.   But strong families foster wonderful people like Judy and not much was needed.   Undaunted, we organized a blood drive that exceeded expectations. 
            In rapid succession the date for the blood drive was set only two weeks in the future, emails were sent and appointments were made, posters were posted, and people came out of the wood work to bake cookies.  Everyone wanted to help.   Marc Auger sent the appointment email district wide and 47 people set aside time to give blood. Sara Deweese designed a poster for us to sign and as we did so, it became a work of heart. 
            When the day of the drive arrived, the cafeteria was transformed into what looked like a M.A.S.H. unit with a waiting area, eight beds for blood drawing, cubicles for giving health histories, and a canteen full of home made cookies for rebuilding blood sugar.  One plate of heart shaped sugar cookies bore the words, “We love Judy.”  Louise Edwards, a para educator at Cabrillo, and sister of Judy, photographed the cookies to show to her later.  One Red Cross worker commented to me that, “This feels like a party and I’m the hostess.  It’s good to be part of this.”  Donna French made a similar comment, “It’s the most fun I’ve had with a needle in my arm.  Let’s make it an annual event!”
            As each person gave blood and exited through the waiting room, the people waiting broke into spontaneous applause.  The applause continued throughout the evening.  The blood drive ran for a full four hours and bagged 41 units, which was, according to the Red Cross, “above average.” 
            On any school day Cabrillo teachers do well; on September 25th in honor of our friend Judy, we did good.  The Red Cross says that one pint of blood saves nearly three lives, so with this effort we saved 116.  The drive lessened our grief and whetted our appetites for what we really want, Judy to be healthy and back at work.