GRIFFITH, IN – Griffith High School Student Council hosted its annual blood drive Feb. 6 in the school’s main gymnasium.
The blood drive has been held for 14 years and is organized by Student Council with sponsor Jenna Berzy. Each year, Berzy promotes the event by visiting senior classrooms to recruit volunteers, creating posters displayed throughout the school and using morning announcements leading up to the drive.
This year, 60 students donated blood during the school day. Representatives from the American Red Cross were on site to collect donations. Students age 16 and older who donated one pint of blood received a $20 McDonald’s gift card, while students 18 and older had the option to donate plasma for additional compensation. Gift cards, payments and donor record cards are mailed to students within a week by the American Red Cross.
Before donating, students were required to have their iron levels and blood pressure checked to ensure they were eligible and to prevent side effects such as fainting, dizziness or extreme fatigue.
With 60 donors participating, the blood drive has the potential to save up to 180 lives. In previous years, the drive typically averaged about 50 donors, which equates to approximately 150 lives saved.
The blood drive is usually held in late January, but this year’s event was affected by weather conditions. Frequent snowstorms and cold temperatures across Northwest Indiana caused several blood drives to be canceled or postponed, including the one at Griffith High School.
“[The American Red Cross] even sent out messages saying that the extreme weather is disrupting efforts to replenish the blood supply, so it’s extra important this year,” Berzy said.
Students who participated said they were motivated by a desire to help others. Senior Ava Lee said she chose to donate because she wanted to make a difference.
“I really like the idea of helping people who need it,” Lee said. “It’s a nice feeling knowing that you’re helping someone out, and I think that’s something that makes a lot of people feel a little bit better about themselves.”
The turnout and student involvement reflect the impact a single blood drive can have on helping those in need.
