The bi-annual Red Cross blood drive collected 50 pints on April 23 in the new gym. 

Upon arrival, donors were asked to fill out a rapid pass. This is a pre-donation method that allows donors to complete a health-history online which can save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive. HOSA students volunteered at the check-in table and helped escort all donors to the canteen table with snacks, drinks and a free shirt. 

After checking in, the Red Cross workers called the donors one at a time to the registration table and verified their information. They took participants’ blood pressure and tested hemoglobin levels. 

At the event, donors each gave one pint of blood. Several small test tubes of blood are also collected for testing. 

The whole process takes up to an hour, making it convenient for both teachers and students to donate during the school day and not miss out on much. There have been sport teams that donate together and students tend to go in pairs or groups. 

“I really think that the benefit outweighs any fear that there might be,” nurse Jodi Kresse said. 

She advises donors to prepare before the blood donation by eating a healthy meal and staying hydrated to ensure a successful donation without any side effects.

According to the American Red Cross, the number of people donating blood has declined approximately 40% in the past 20 years. 

“You never know when you may be on the receiving end of needing a blood donation, so it is important that we do our part while we can and while we are healthy,” nurse Kresse said. 

Her goal for future blood drives is to increase the amount of pints we collected and to help students understand the importance of their donation.

If you are going to be 16 years or older in the fall, make sure you sign up in the nurse’s office in order to donate to help those in need.