On Friday, Oct. 5, between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m students will have the opportunity to donate blood and save three lives in BV’s biannual blood drive. This will take place in the Auxilary Gym.
This year is the first year that Exploring Health Professions (EHP) students are taking charge of the event, which is usually run by StuCo.
EHP student senior Makenzie Hanson said the idea of taking over originated from EHP Teacher Donna Dehart, who then received permission from StuCo sponsor Mark Moiser for the go ahead to take over the event.
Hanson said it a gave the class the opportunity to get involved in the school, and be more than just a class.
“I think that by doing the blood drive it will definitely raise awareness for EHP which could potentially increase the number of students that enroll in the class,” she said “Currently, we only have nine students in the class.”
She said they are hoping to obtain at least 65 pints of blood.
In order to donate blood, one must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 115 pounds. Hanson said it is recommended that you aren’t currently playing any sports.
Hanson said having donors with a variety of blood types is important.
“We try to have a balance of all the kinds so that way we don’t have too much of one kind of blood and none of another,” she said.
Junior Hillary Heizman donated blood for the first time at last year’s blood drive and plans on donating again this year.
“At first I just wanted to try it because I’d never donated before but after I did it, I realized it was cool saving three lives,” she said.
Last year, Heizman said her nerves got the better of her.
“Well, the girl next to me passed out right before I donated,” she said. “I was so scared, but after it was over, I was fine. It didn’t hurt like I expected it to.”
Every year, blood drive workers set out food and water so those who donated can refuel.
Heizman said it took her about 30 minutes to recover, and the food helped speed up that process.
Heizman advises students to participate in the drive.
“Try not to go into it scared, you will psych yourself out,” she said. “Stay calm and you’ll do fine.”