Eleventh grader Bella Rosado and her mother Clarissa will co-host a blood drive Saturday with the New York Blood Center in the Hutchinson Elementary School gym from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Last summer, a close family member of Rosado’s needed a blood transfusion. However, due to their rare blood disorder and the ongoing blood shortage, the relative had to wait two days in the hospital before blood of their type was available for transfusion. From this event sprang the idea for the drive.

“Not only did I want my relative to always have access to blood, I also want others, maybe with even rarer blood conditions, to have access to it too,” said Rosado, a student at Pelham Memorial High School.

The New York Blood Center (NYBC) announced a blood emergency earlier this month due to an alarming drop in blood donations. “The region’s blood supply currently stands at just a three-day level, which is well below the ideal inventory of five to seven days,” said the NYBC in a press release. “NYBC highly encourages all who are able to sign-up to donate.”

Although Rosado has participated in different fundraisers and volunteer activities to date, this was her first time organizing an event. Initially, the first steps were confusing and overwhelming, but she said she is excited to see her hard work pay off and help others in need. Bella’s motto of “just do it” helped keep her motivated throughout this project.

“I just say go for it, and you’ll figure it out along the way,” said Rosado. “And I feel like a lot of people get scared about how much work they have to do or even talking to people is very scary for some people. Reach out talk to people and just make it happen.”

At time of publication, slots were still open to donate. Information about donating and signing up can be found on Rosado’s Instagram account, @bellas_blood_drive. Her account posts about different blood donation statistics as well as the importance and impact of blood donors.