Los Banos High School’s Red Cross Club held their annual school blood drive on May 10 in the school’s multi purpose room.
Students were first assessed with paperwork that had to be signed by their parents to be allowed to participate. If paperwork was filled in correctly, students were tested to see if they were eligible and fit the basic health qualifications, such as students weight, cholesterol levels and more.
Jasmin Nieves (12) was questioned on how the blood drive went she said, “It went well. They had lots of snacks just in case, but also just to enjoy. In all though it was really organized and well monitored just in case something did happen.”
With donating blood sometimes things could happen like passing out or becoming nauseous. This can be due to obviously losing a good amount of blood but also with your body not having anything inside like food.
These side effects did appear with some students, but staff were on pretty close watch. When Athena Donahue, member of the Red Cross Club was asked about the comfortability of the drive, she said, “I was really comfortable throughout the whole process. The staff medical aid was very comforting and nice and really made the process amazing. When a problem did arise though they would make sure to have all eyes on the person and get them back to a hundred percent.”
Donahue was questioned on how the blood drive benefits the school and the students on campus she said, “It means a lot honestly. Yes, it’s a little time consuming and is a little difficult process for the school to set up and get the OK, but it’s for such a great cause and I hope donations get used to help a child or even an adult in need of blood. It’s a small thing for us but can make the biggest change in another person’s life.”
Ms. Lampreda, Coordinator of the blood drive was asked about how many people who were involved and other facts. She said, “It was sponsored by the NHS, and 15+ staff members from Central California Blood Center out of Fresno, CA came out to help out. Fifty students, five staff members and six community members donated to help.”
Also the Central California Blood Center donated a pair of Air Pod Pros to be raffled off to the students who participated in the blood drive. Seledyn Hernandez (10) won them. It was a great addition for the students involved. As most blood drives go, all blood gets distributed to people in need of the blood. It can go anywhere from children’s hospitals to even local ones.
