Sitting in metal folding chairs waiting to move on to the next stage, potential donors were filled with feelings of anticipation and nervousness. On Thursday, Feb. 2, in the midst of preparing for Sweetheart, students and faculty took time out of their busy schedules to save lives. Members of the Timberwolf family aged 16 and over took part in the National Honor Society (NHS) Blood Drive, donating a pint of blood each to the Community Blood Center.
To ensure the success of the blood drive, NHS planned it last semester. The month leading up to the event saw members of the club making posters and promoting the blood drive in any way possible.
“Being a volunteer at the blood drive was really cool for me because I know people whose lives have been saved by blood transfusions, so it was really special for me to feel like I was doing something to help save lives,” senior Emily Love said. “I am really grateful to the people who donated, they did a really amazing thing.”
Donors signed up during lunch and prepared to give blood by drinking lots of water the day before and eating a good breakfast the morning of. Although some donors were nervous they were enticed to sign up when they heard they would be offered free food and the opportunity to miss class.
“I feel like I accomplished something because I helped save somebody’s life,” junior Rachel Price said. “Plus I got out of chemistry.”
With over 100 people willing to donate, the blood drive was highly successful. Overall, there were 91 units of blood donated. With such an enthusiastic response from the Southwest community, there wasn’t enough time to let everyone donate.
“We did have to turn some people away so we could end [the blood drive] before school got out,” NHS sponsor Kathryn Pinto said. “We just weren’t able to handle the numbers.”
For high schoolers who are looking to donate blood, there is an award available. If a person donates blood or platelets eight times before graduating, they receive a certificate and a pin. Colleges look heavily at community service and donating blood is one way to serve.
