According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood has to be readily available for patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, traumatic events, and chronic illnesses. Blood shortages could delay critical blood transfusions for people in need. There are many benefits to blood donations. First, donors can check their vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate, to ensure they are fit enough for the procedure. Another benefit is determining the donor’s blood type and Rhesus factor, which could be helpful information in a medical emergency or future surgeries requiring blood transfusions. Additionally, blood donations could decrease blood pressure and lower the risk of heart attacks. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, one blood donation can save up to three lives. 

NHS is running a Blood Drive event with the American Red Cross on Monday, April 24. Students who are 16 and over are eligible to donate. Students under 17 need to turn in a parental consent form to be able to donate. You can turn in the form to any of the blood drive heads (Aidan Kasner, Lainie Galdo, Julie Zesinger, and Lisa Ross). To see if you are able to donate blood, a height and weight chart is available. 

Faculty and parents of NHS students are also eligible to participate in the event. NHS student donors will earn 0.5 service credits, and an additional 0.5 service credits will be awarded for recruiting two non-NHS donors. If you donate blood, you can enter to win a VIP, all-inclusive trip for two to Sonoma County, California, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Charles M. Schulz Museum & Snoopy’s Home Ice, as long as you are 18 or older. Additionally, all donors will receive a free limited-edition Peanuts T-shirt.

There are two types of donations: regular (whole blood) and power red donations. Power red donations must have type A negative, type B negative, or type O blood; first-time donors cannot donate through power red. Whole blood, or regular, donations usually take around 8-10 minutes, and power red donations typically take 30 minutes longer than whole blood donations. Donors can listen to music or read to relax during the procedure. After the blood donations, all donors are offered food, snacks, and water. Donors will be excused from class during their appointment. For this event, prospective donors can register online through our google form.

On the day of donating blood, donors should have at least eight hours of sleep, stay well hydrated to prevent lightheadedness, eat a balanced breakfast containing protein and carbohydrates, avoid fatty foods, and exercise if possible. Additionally, wearing comfortable clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow is recommended. All donors must have their ID available before the procedure and will be asked several health history questions to ensure they will make a safe donation.

If you have any questions about blood donations, please follow the NHS Blood Drive Instagram account (@lmhsnhsblooddrive) and visit LMHS NHS’s website on blood donation.