If you’ve been at lunch the past couple days, you might’ve been approached asking if you would want to donate blood or even seen someone dressed up in a red blood drop costume. If you haven’t noticed yet, this is all for the nationwide blood drive.
You may have been approached asking if you would want to donate blood or seen someone dressed up in a red blood drop costume.
The blood drive is a charity event where people are able to sign up to donate blood, which then can be used to save the lives of patients in need of blood or keep a supply of clean and accessible blood for year round use. Junior Lilah Edwards shares her past experience with the blood drive and what she looks forward to: “I was very nervous for my first blood drive because I have a fear of needles. It was an irrational fear of mine that I was even scared to go to the doctors. Doing the blood drive helped my fear and that is why I am doing it again this year. I get to save lives by donating to those in need and I enjoyed the little snacks given after getting our blood taken.”
The way it works at Seminole High School is that students can sign up for the blood drive at their assigned lunch block. You answer a few questions and find out if you are eligible to be able to participate. There are other requirements, including you must be at least 16 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good general health. Then you choose which period you can miss class for and that absence will count as excused. Before your appointment for the drive, make sure to drink plenty of water and eat at least 2 hours before. When it is your time to get your blood taken, you can leave class and head to the auditorium. Once there you sign in and wait until they call you to be taken to the big red signature blood van outside. Inside the van, they disinfect and cleanse the area on your arm before inserting a brand new needle for the blood draw. They will take 1 pint of blood in total and once it’s done you will be given snacks and a drink. You can then stay in the van for a bit and return back to class.
Doing the blood drive isn’t required but when you do the blood drive you set a positive role for fellow students, give blood that is able to save lives, and build goodwill for others. Junior Sofia Antonio walks through the process she went through: “This was my first year participating in the blood drive. I was super nervous but excited at the same time. It was really fun being able to be a part of this experience and it’s nice knowing that I was able to make a difference. During the blood drive, they started by testing blood pressure and iron levels. Then I had to answer a bunch of questions to ensure I was eligible to participate. After I finished all of the paperwork and tests, they asked me which arm I would like to draw the blood out of and I said my left. I laid down and they wrapped a tourniquet over my arm and then stuck the needle in. For some reason my blood isn’t flowing properly on that side so we had to do the other arm. Luckily, my right arm was able to flow properly and give the pint of blood.”
Although the blood drive sign up has ended, this is a yearly event so be sure to consider participating next year!