Neighbor News
Brighton High School blood drive brings many willing donors
Many teens give up an hour or two during their school day to give blood to Red Cross to help save lives.
Blood Drive in Brighton
December 3rd, BHS was visited by the Red Cross to collect blood from volunteers of students and faculty at Brighton High School. This is an annual event at our school and is managed by the Red Cross helpers/organisers with the help of the student council. Sign-up for this took place during the week of November 10-15. While meant for students who are already of age, younger students can participate if they have a permission slip signed by their parent or guardian.
“The drive will take place all day December 3rd,” senior Claire Ivers said.
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The way it works is the drive will set up in the auxiliary gym before school. Once school starts, they will begin pulling students who signed up out of class to come and give blood. Students will be taken during the class they preferred to be taken out during, though if there’s an overflow of students during this time then they will take you at another time. Each student shouldn’t be gone for too long, approximately 30 minutes, and may receive a sweet treat for their donation (which helps the body recover the taken blood).
The reason behind drives like these is to help stem the ever-growing need in the United States for fresh blood in hospitals. Blood spoils quickly and is necessary to help fix a plethora of medical problems or injuries. On average, around 34,000 units of blood are needed in the United States alone every day. Which is why the drive is so important.
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“This is annually the largest blood drive in the Livingston county area,” the drive’s coordinator, Arnella Park said.
People donate for a variety of reasons, most may donate because it is a cheap and easy way to have a large beneficial impact on the lives of other people. The blood donated can go towards helping someone survive a car crash, or cure a blood related illness. So no matter the reason behind donating, it’s a somewhat charitable act.
“I’m donating because my sister donated,” senior Garret Lucas said.
This isn’t the only time you can donate this year either. There will be another blood drive held next semester in the same place March 18th. Donating at either one, though both would be ideal, is a good way to give back to the community.