Donate Today, Save Tomorrow

Falcons! Looking for community service hours? This week, OneBlood will be hosting its first blood drive of the year on campus. Taking place over two days, students can donate blood throughout the school day. The drive will begin on September 11th and run from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM, while the second drive will happen the following day on September 12th from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. 

Blood donation is a lifeline for countless people around the world. It is used in countless scenarios, and with just an hour of your time, donations could save up to three lives per donor. 

Donors have the option to choose which component of blood they donate. 

Whole blood donations, which collect a pint of blood that contains red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, are the most common. Individuals who donate whole blood can do so every 56 days for 6 donations yearly. Individuals who donate must be at least 16 years old with parental consent and weigh 110 pounds. 

Double red cell donations collect only red blood cells, extracting platelets and plasma. Through a process known as automation, red blood cells are extracted from the blood. Donations could be made every 112 days, totaling 3 donations per year. Males who donate must be at least 16 years old with parental consent, weigh at least 130 pounds, and be taller than 5’1. Females who donate must be 16 and weigh at least 150 pounds, measuring taller than 5’5. 

Platelet donations only collect platelets with the process of automation. Platelet donations Individuals who donate must be at least 16 and weigh 110 pounds, and make sure they do not take any aspirin for at least two days before the appointment. 

No matter a donor’s blood type, blood is a source that is constantly in high demand. According to OneBlood, statistics show that blood is needed every two seconds. 

There are many perks to participating in the blood drive. Students will receive an exclusive gift from Oneblood, donuts and pizza, 15 community service hours, and a wellness checkup.

If you are seventeen, you must have parental consent to donate blood. Consent forms may be picked up and turned in at the activities office before 9/11. 

Take this chance to help the people in your community by donating blood and earning community service hours!

To participate in the blood drive, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old with parental consent
• Be at least 110 pounds
• Stay hydrated on the day of the drive
• Eat iron-rich foods the day before the drive
• Have all your forms turned into activities 
• Bring ID
• Be well rested