Successful High School Blood Drive Surpasses Organizers’ Goal

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:50:08 GMT

By Erica Weidrick

Photo Courtesy of 2011 Yearbook
High School Students wait patiently in the hallway before giving blood.

On April 13 th Camden County High School (CCHS) made history with their blood drive sponsored by two school clubs. Health Occupation Students of America (H.O.S.A.) and the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) had a blood drive goal to get 60 pints of blood collected. According to School Nurse Cindee Burton, the school proudly surpassed this goal and collected 74 pints. If each pint is used by three people that would mean our schools have helped save 222 lives! The American Red Cross Staff complemented the CCHS and Camden Tech High School (CTHS) students on being so well-behaved. The student volunteers also were credited with being hard working, and were considered “among the best high school volunteers to work with the American Red Cross”, said organizers. The HOSA and SADD Club members would like to thank all student donors for their patience in waiting turns for the blood drive. In addition, a special thank you is given to high school Band Director Rose Lee for letting the clubs use the band room for the day-long blood drive. The Camden County High School students really stepped up for this blood drive. In total, 94 students tried to donate blood, but 20 students were turned away due to low iron, hemoglobin or weight issues. After giving blood Senior Brittany Hill said “I was very nervous, but I feel like I made a difference”. A lot of students really pushed through their fear to help save another’s life.” Another student, Senior Chelsea Riggs, gave blood despite the fact that she has a major fear of needles. “I cried, but I got myself through it, and I’m so glad I did it” she said. According to American Red Cross officials, the blood gathered from Tuesday’s blood drive is sent to Raleigh to be tested and processed into three components: red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. The blood is checked for anything issues that could prevent the organization from giving it to someone else. If the blood does come back positive for an illness, it will be discarded and the donor will be notified. After the three components are tested and cleared for any sicknesses, it is then stored until it is needed. Blood is available to be shipped to hospitals 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. The number one reason donors said they give blood is because they want to help others, and it is a fact that Camden County High School has done its part to help many people. Taylor Edwards, a two time blood donor says, “Giving blood is the best way to give back to others whom you don’t know”. Eighty percent of the blood donations given to the Red Cross are collected at mobile blood drives set up at community organizations, companies, high schools, colleges, places of worship or military installations. All in all Camden County High School has made a huge difference.