For paraprofessional Diane Wellington, participating in the March 13 blood drive sponsored by her UFT functional chapter and the union’s Staten Island borough office was a no-brainer. Wellington, who works at the Richmond Pre-K Center, said she saw donating blood as a way to pay it forward. “My dad has been a recipient of life-saving blood transfusions in the past years,” she said. Wellington was one of 35 members who donated that day. “Our members provided life-saving blood at a time when the city’s blood supply is low,” said Paraprofessionals Chapter Chairperson Priscilla Castro. Staten Island Borough Representative Sean Rotkowitz said the amount of blood collected could help more than 90 people. Rotkowitz noted that it was the union’s first blood drive on Staten Island. “We’ve learned from it and are looking for an even bigger turnout next time,” he said.