The first blood drive of the year happened on Oct. 8 in the main gym. This is an annual event the Student Council Association (SCA) hosts each year. SCA sponsor Jessica Crance talks about the blood drive’s origin.
“We started doing the blood drive in 2022 to give students opportunities to earn scholarships and to ultimately help the American Red Cross,” Crance said.
By donating blood, students are eligible to apply for the Red Cross Scholarship as a senior. In addition, those who donate save lives by contributing to the American Red Cross Blood Supply which assists people when blood transfusions are needed. Over 50 people signed up to give blood on Wednesday, and they had about 20 walk-ins. Each person donates one unit, or one pint, of blood. Senior Nadia Gaydos donated blood for the first time on Wednesday.
“I decided to donate blood because as somebody who’s been directly affected by um a sibling who had a blood disorder, I can see the importance of giving blood and why um giving not just blood but also platelets and plasma is very important to other people’s well-being,” Gaydos said. Gaydos’s step-sister, Ellie Lattus, battled leukemia, and blood donations helped save her life. Lattus would often need transfusions after lumbar punctures during her cancer treatment.
The blood dive is a longstanding tradition at the high school. During the 2024-2025 school year, the SCA hosted four blood drives, donating, in total, over 148 units of blood. The SCA looks to host another blood drive next semester. For more information, see Jessika Crance in room 118.
