Every year the National Honor Society at SLHS holds two blood drives per year, and the first one took place, Sept. 18, 2024 at St. Louis High School.
The blood drive is for a good cause as it gives more resources to save someone’s life. There is a huge need for blood, and this is the school’s way of helping out those in need. The blood goes to hospitals around the Gratiot County area and is used on patients in need.
The drive had many participants from the SLHS staff and students. They all like to participate in the blood drive for personal reasons. “Being able to donate here at work makes it easier for me to fit it into my busy schedule. I have type O- blood, which is known as the “universal blood type” because it can be used in transfusions for any blood type. This means it is in high demand, but short supply,” said Ms. Snyder, a staff member at SLHS.
“I started donating shortly after I turned 18, and have donated on and off over the years, depending on my iron levels. I typically do what is called a “double red” donation compared to the typical whole blood cell donation. A typical donation involves giving a unit of all three parts of the blood (red blood cells, plasma, and platelets) whereas during a double red cell donation they use a special machine and can collect two units of concentrated red blood cells. The machine separates the plasma and platelets and returns them back to me. It typically takes 30-45 minutes longer than a normal donation,” Snyder added.
“I encourage everyone, regardless of your blood type but especially those with Type O- blood to donate. You never know when it could be you or someone you love who needs the next blood transfusion!” Ms. Snyder continued. She plans to hopefully attend the next blood drive in the spring.
Another one of the participants for the blood drive on Wednesday was Benjamin Godfrey. Benjamin is a junior at SLHS. “That was my first time because I had just turned 16 over the summer, and I just needed my dad’s permission. They let me watch how fast my blood went and that was cool. I would definitely want other people to do it. It doesn’t hurt and you get free snacks before and after,” he stated.
There will be a second blood drive in the spring of 2025, held in the gym of SLHS.
