Blood Drive Experiences

At different points through the day, students went to donate blood in the gymnasium. Gurneys were placed on foam mats, where the nurses would draw blood and attend to the dazed students.

Purpose:

Overall, the people donating decided to do so as they felt it was the right thing to do “You can save three lives with one pint” Senior Margot Richter said. ASB decided to organize the event as they felt it can encourage and expose people to the idea and experience of donating blood “We do it because a lot of kids can’t donate in the real world since their not 18. So, this is a good way for them to get involved, and it’s good for them to start donating early so they are more likely to donate for the rest of their lives instead of starting at 30” Senior Anna Whalen said.

Expectations:

Many of the students were initially afraid or nervous:

“I definitely thought it was going to hurt like really badly,” Junior Taya Dervetski said.

“I thought I was going to faint, because my sister fainted,” Senior Margot Richter said.

“I was only nervous by the fact I would actually see them put the needle in, and see it as it fills up,” Garrett Brown said.

Experience:

To their relief, the experiences did not turn out as frightening as expected:

“I was really nervous, but it ended up being fine. The nurses knew how to handle it when I got a little scared,” Junior Angelina Saunders said.

“I was really scared but it wasn’t as bad as I thought. The prick was the worst part I think. I just couldn’t look at the needle. [It went] really smoothly…and it was pretty fast,” Dervetski said.

The Takeaway:
“I would recommend people donate because it’s helping out others, and bit by bit save the world,” Brown said.

“It saves lives, and you get snacks and its not actually a big deal. If I can do it, anyone can,” Richter said.

“I would do it again, but next time eat more before, and bring a snack,” Saunders said.

“Do it!” Dervetski said.