The American Red Cross hosted a blood drive in the school gym on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Red Cross Club hosts blood drives annually to help supply blood to hospitals that pay for blood in case of emergencies and other medical needs. Donors were required to be at least 16 years old with parental consent and weigh more than 110 lb.
These requirements were set in place as safety precautions. Any potential donor weighing less than the standard minimum were turned away, as they do not have enough blood volume to safely donate a full pint. The American Red Cross handled most of the set up as there was equipment only their staff was trained to use.
The American Red Cross sent phlebotomists, who are healthcare professionals that are trained to collect blood, to work the blood drive.
Students’ blood was drawn in 15-minute increments while they were led to a table to lay down and relax. They are prepped and are given instructions as to what steps the voluntary procedure will consist of.
Each participating donor received a T-shirt, a $20 gift card, a raffle ticket for $5,000, a raffle ticket for two Knott’s Berry Farm tickets and free hypoallergenic snacks, which are snacks that are free of common allergens. E-sports collaborated with the Red Cross Club and offered a small station to play video games and relax before donating.
Blood donors have the choice to donate their blood and each does it for a different reason.
“I want to be a nurse. So I’m just kind of seeing how it goes, seeing how they work,” senior Isabella Mera said.
The Red Cross Club provided more food, such as prepackaged snacks and donuts, while monetary incentives also increased this year from last year with gift card amounts rising by $10.
According to Red Cross club president Melinda Lim, members gathered a total of 88 donors, whereas last year they had around 60. Each club member asked friends and peers to donate or asked around if people knew anyone who would be willing to donate.
American Red Cross coordinator Lauren Roselle assisted the Red Cross Club in preparing for events such as the blood drive and scheduling between both the club and the organization.
“They did a really good job recruiting. We have a lot of sign ups,” Roselle said.
The American Red Cross uses the school for its donors and blood, while the costs for equipment and staff are covered by the monetary value of the blood provided. The American Red Cross sells the collected blood to hospitals with around 60 pints just covering the cost of the drive but the Red Cross Club always aims to collect more to supply it for those in need of it.
The Red Cross Club helps students connect to programs such as the American Red Cross and opens up opportunities for people to give back.
“I like donating blood, it’s like my third or fourth time donating and I just like knowing that I’m helping people and actually, genuinely saving lives,” senior Lourdes Salazar said.
