HOSA will be holding a blood drive with professionals from the American Red Cross on November 15th in room 2310. Students above the age of 16 and all teachers are welcome to participate in this event.
The blood drive is being held to help the American Red Cross through a national blood shortage. According to an article from the American Red Cross, the current blood supply is rather low, having dropped 25% since August. The drop in blood donors significantly decreased as well since August is normally the busiest month and, with the holiday season coming up, scientists expect the supply to decrease again. Helping the Red Cross also earns HOSA a chance at winning chapter of the year on an international level, which is given to a chapter by gaining a certain amount of points from volunteering.
HOSA is making good progress with getting donors and is halfway to reaching its goal. “It was slow for like the first week,” junior Samhitha Kanchanapelly, who is a co-competition chair for the club, noted. “But I think that this week has really picked up because we finally got the sixteen year olds who signed their forms and they bring it in. So I think right now we’re halfway to our goal.”
When considering whether to donate blood, one should remember that one pint of blood saves three lives. With that being said, one should also take into account personal health. After donating blood, many people may feel dizzy, hot or nauseous. But, the advantages of blood donation clearly outweigh the temporary side-effects.
