The second semi-annual blood drive was impeccably timed once again, occurring shortly after the Boston bombing when blood levels were depleted and the victims needed all the assistance they could get. The spring blood drive took place on May 22, hosted by the National Honor Society (NHS) with a total of approximately 270 donors.
Like the first blood drive, which coincidentally occurred after Hurricane Sandy made its mark on the East Coast, this one too occurred when people’s lives were at stake.
“We do it twice a year because people are allowed to give blood every 56 days. So why not do it twice?” Senior and Vice President of NHS Jake Kramer said.
The procedure remained the same; the participants reserved a time slot and arrived at the gym. They sat in the waiting area until they were called and moved along systematically. First, a basic interrogation of the donor’s health occurred. After the person was cleared, the pint was taken. Once again, anyone who was donating had to stay hydrated at all times before and after the donation, be 16 and at least 110 lbs.
“Blood is mostly water. Since you are going to lose blood volume you need liquid to sustain it. The side effects are mitigated. A human has eight to 10 pints and we take one pint. So that’s a 20 percent blood loss” Carmen Wainwright, the manager of the spring blood drive said.
Sign-ups started at the beginning of May and lasted until the day of the blood drive. More people are expected to sign up for two key reasons. One, it didn’t clash with the day of Keystone testing, which means the blood drive can last the full school day until 2:14 pm rather than 11:58 am. Two, more people are 16 now than in Dec.
“The turnout was great and the kids are so enthusiastic. Blood lasts 30 days so there is a need to replenish. Only 19 percent of high school students donate – we need an increase. And one in five percent of those who are eligible donate,” Deana Strippoli, Senior Manager of Operations, said.
The only difference was it took place in Gym 3, “We needed the bigger space,” senior and president of NHS, Janice Joseph explained.
To promote the drive, NHS had taken numerous measures. They displayed laminated signs in the windows at the entrance of the school. Each day during the announcements, a different advertisement played in hopes to inspire to take part in the blood drive. During homeroom the officers were on Main Street and had a table set up while members went around to different homerooms and asked if anyone wanted to contribute in the drive.
During each lunch, the members sat at a table at the entrance of the cafeteria to sign-up donors, while other members walked around from table to table informing students about how the blood drive saves three lives and seeing if they meet the requirements in an endeavor to persuade them to sign up.
“I expect this blood drive to be bigger and better than the previous one. Why? The new inductees and the former inductees are working together to make it a grander accomplishment. Double the effort means double the success,” Susan Wells, advisor of NHS said.
There were volunteers that assisted in snack distribution a donors, NHS members and Red Cross employees present at the blood drive.
“I comfort people and talk to them while getting the blood drawn,” junior and new inductee Katelyn Vala said.
Alexis Compton, a senior, who was one of the people to donate said, “I’ve done it before and it’s easy. I don’t need it so I can give it away. After all, it’s only a pint. My arm hurts a little, but that’s about it.”
The blood drive was the juniors’ first big job as partaking in the NHS. “It’s a lot of work but worth it. It’s a great cause. All the work we are putting is a small sacrifice compare to the people who need it. It’s a little pinch vs. dying,” Brenna McGrath, junior and future secretary of NHS said.
Future Vice President of the NHS, junior Jane Miglo said “I love that fact that everyone is putting their fears aside. It’s so nice.”
The blood drive is a reoccurring tradition at Neshaminy, which will be supported by the staff, students and administration – acquiring participants from all walks of people at Neshaminy.
The blood drive was beneficial to everyone in the community – those donating and those receiving. “It’s an amazing experience because people that are in college are donating now. It’s a lifelong habit that starts here,” Wells said.