By Meagan Young
Students who are 17 or older had the opportunity to donate blood with the United Blood Services in the auxiliary gym on Wed. Sept. 30 and Thurs. Oct. 1.
“I wanted to save lives and do something good,” Hayden Matanane, senior, said.
Along with being 17, the requirements to donate blood included having a weight of 110 lbs, no tattoos newer than one year, and eating a large breakfast prior because donating on an empty stomach, can cause complications. Students also needed to allot 45-60 minutes for the whole process of donating.
The first day of the blood drive, 62 people came to the gym and donated 48 units of blood. On the second day, the amount of blood given decreased, but in total around 90 people donated between both days.
The students who donated gave one pint of blood which is about the size of a water bottle. One pint of blood can save up to three lives.
In addition to saving lives, students can earn scholarships by participating in the blood drive. The scholarship program is designed to reward high school students who are members of the blood drive and their efforts in stimulating interest and awareness about the blood supply at their school and community.
The scholarship award amounts vary from first place in each division to third place, and the best overall in the blood drive campaign. 16 students in total are awarded scholarships each year. The scholarships are awarded to the high schools who have the most amount of blood donated, and then the schools determine who receives the scholarships. To be eligible for a scholarship with United Blood Services students must participate in the blood drive, maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better, and serve at least one role in the school’s blood drive committee.
“Donating blood does not cost you anything. It’s easy, and you get to get out of class so I think everyone eligible should donate,” Avery Fraley, senior, said.
