GHS students participated in the school’s annual blood drive in the main gymnasium on Friday, January 19th. Throughout the entire school day, donors stopped by the main gym to give blood. By the end of the day, 43 students had donated 43 pints — saving three lives each — totaling 129 possible lives saved.
Usually, the blood drive runs sometime during the second or third week of January. Around the time of the winter holidays, blood donations are at their greatest need, so Ms. Berzy tries to address and plan for that.
Preparation for the blood drive started back in November. Ms. Berzy, the coordinator of the event, communicated all of the details to the American Red Cross. GHS provided the seating arrangements and students, while the Red Cross provided the equipment and workers. Everything was completely free of charge, and lanyards were passed out as a thank-you.
A few days before the blood drive, Ms. Berzy recruits blood donors and asks the senior classes. She also makes videos to play during advisory, but the weather disruptions this year prevented that. The Student Council also works on organizing the event and recruiting students to donate.
The sign-up process is very straightforward. Students aged sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen can donate blood, although sixteen-year-olds need parental permission. The screening process involves checking for low iron levels, overly high blood pressure, and certain medications that may prohibit a blood transfusion. Eligible donors need to make sure that they eat and drink well the day before and on the day of the donation. It’s free to donate, as well.
This is the twelfth year that the school has held a blood drive. It was originally started by the nurse at the school, and when she left, Ms. Berzy and the Student Council picked it up from there. When the Red Cross declared a national blood shortage last year, blood donations became more important than ever.
On the topic of the blood drive, GHS principal Mr. Chance expressed his support and appreciation. “I just think it’s a great opportunity for our community and our student body to learn something…and I also think it’s a great opportunity for our kids to give back to the people in need,” Chance said.
Ms. Berzy finished off, saying, “It’s a really rewarding experience. I like doing it because, overall, it’s pretty easy, and I’m helping to save lives, so I’m happy to do it.”
As of now, there are 490 freshmen, sophomores, and juniors at GHS. If you’re an incoming sophomore, junior, or senior next year, be sure to keep the blood drive in mind. Spread the word; in just a few minutes of your time, you could donate your blood and save three separate lives.
And, just think: What could 490 students do if they worked together?
