Seventy-Eight Donors = 61 pints of blood donated X 3 lives per pint= 183 lives saved.

The annual Blood Drive hosted by Dunbar’s Beta Club took place on October 3rd. The students of Dunbar gave back to their community from the upper wing of the gymnasium.

Although the turnout was less than half of what it was last year, the new age limit of 16 brought out a large younger demographic. As of July 15, 2008, 16-year olds in Kentucky can donate with parental consent. Despite the lower turn out, the Blood Drive was an overall success.

“I was very pleased with the Blood Drive. The people who organized it did a fabulous job, and everything ran smoothly,” said Ms. Elizabeth Davis, president of the Beta Club.

About 60 students showed up on Friday with arms ready to help the cause. People were eager to donate blood for various reasons. Many kids think donating blood is the right thing to do

“I wanted to donate blood because I thought it was a good deed,” said junior Brittany Birch.

Other kids had personal experiences that led them to donate blood Friday.

“A couple years ago, my cousin had leukemia, and they ran out of blood for her. I didn’t want that to happen to anybody else, so I donated blood,” said junior Brianna Hill.

For most kids on Friday, it was their first time helping the community by saving lives directly.

“I thought the blood drive was great! It was my first time donating, and I really enjoyed the fact that I saved three lives,” said senior Saumya Mehta.

In the U.S., about 37% of the population is eligible to donate blood but less than 10% do. Why?

Many students at Dunbar are involved in sports and are concerned about the effects of donating blood.

Athletes do not donate because some coaches have a blood-donation policy. The evening after donating blood could make athletes feel weaker during practice.

Some students simply can’t get over their fear of needles. One of the main reasons people choose not to donate is due to bad experiences.

Students have passed out before and the memory keeps them from trying to donate again.

“I’m the biggest baby on the planet. I passed out after they pricked my finger last year. This year, I decided I would pass on the choice to donate,” said senior Taylor Sterry.

The Blood Drive was a fun event for a great cause. Because the Blood Drive was located at Dunbar, it was even easier for students to make a difference and help their community.

“It provided a great opportunity for all the kids at Dunbar,” said senior Azita Bahrami, a chairman of the Blood Drive.

In one day, the students of Dunbar changed the lives of 183 different people.

Donating blood is an easy and quick act that can make a big impact. It is incredibly important. The students who donated during the blood drive were heroes for a day. They made the difference between life and death for 183 people.