StuCo holds annual blood drive.

Any visitors to Gym A, March 13, wouldn’t have been able to escape the smell of antiseptics, the occasional beep of a machine and the sight of students standing in line to give blood at the annual Eureka blood drive.

Mercy Hospital collected 101 usable pints of blood from 138 donors, including teachers and students. Donors had to be at least 16 years of age and a minimum of 110 pounds. They also had to be in good health the day of the blood drive.

“I donated because a couple of my grandmas have needed blood transfusions in the past,” Timothy “TJ” Patton (12) said. “It’s an easy way to give back. It only took about an hour to give and could possibly save up to three people’s lives.”

Students wanting to donate had to show ID and fill out a form.After they had completed the form, medics checked them over to make sure they were in good health. A short wait and students gave blood. Donors reclined in chairs while volunteers from Mercy Hospital drew the blood from IVs in the donors’ arms. Actually donating the blood took about ten minutes.

Volunteers then handed donors juice and snacks and made sure the donors were feeling well.

This was the first time many students had donated blood.  Each donor had a different reason for giving.

“It will benefit people because just one pint of blood saves three lives,” Damarco Jackson, donor, said.

According to Mercy Hospital, one out of every three people will need blood transfusions in their life. Donated blood is used to help cancer and surgery patients, car accident victims and even newborn babies.

There is no substitute for human blood.

“It’s important that people donate blood because it is one vital medical treatment that cannot be duplicated outside the human body,” Mr. Jim Schulz, Student Council sponsor, said.

Potential donors could be disappointed and be turned away.

“It could be based on what type of medication you’re taking. It could be you’re running a slight fever that day or your iron level of your blood isn’t up to normal,” Mr. Schulz said.

Despite the fact that Kayla Farr (12) was not allowed to donate, she still encouraged students to donate.

“I feel like when people donate, they get something out of it, they get that sense of pride,” she said.