This past Friday March the 21st, the HOPE Club and the American Red Cross Organization held their last blood drive of the year in the South Windsor High School library for students and staff alike, these donations are used by hospitals, medical facilities and first responders.
SWHS students were given the opportunity to donate blood within school hours for the first time since October, giving students another chance for a life saving decision.
The blood drive, hosted by the HOPE Club with the help of the non-profit health organization, American Red Cross, encouraged students who qualified to donate enough blood to save 3 lives.
“One blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives, so giving blood is a really easy, fast, and free way to help others,” biology teacher and HOPE Club Advisor, Ms. Karasinski said.
After donating blood, students are given time to hang out with their friends, eat snacks and rehydrate before going back to class, making it an easy and fun way to help those in need.
“The country’s in a national blood shortage, so it’s a good way to help out someone in need,” senior and blood drive coordinator, Satvik Kadappanavar said.
Donating blood can save up to 3 people for just 45 minutes of someone’s time. Blood donations are used by hospitals and first responders for minor or even life saving procedures. There is not always time to transport people from the scene of accidents or other events, so blood donations help save people who would otherwise sustain greater injuries.
“A lot of people over the course of their life are going to need a blood transfusion, anyone who’s been in an accident, or gotten hurt, even people who are giving birth. You never know if you’re gonna need a blood transfusion,” Ms. Karasinski said.
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Students taking the time to socialize before heading back to class.
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An American Red Cross Professional with equipment for blood transfusions.
Attending blood drives also benefits students planning to enter the medical field in the future. This gives the opportunity to get face to face advice from medical professionals and get a small taste of the variety of the medical field.
“I am really interested in things having to do with anatomy, so donating blood gives me a chance to be near that sort of field,” senior and frequent donator, Parker Deleissegues said. “I find donating really fun, as this is my third time donating, and I hope I can continue to do it in the future!”
If you are interested in joining a good cause and helping those in need, you can contact Ms. Karasinski and join the HOPE Club.
