Someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds. The need for blood grows everyday. For this reason, Athens Drive’s Medical Science Club sponsors blood drives here at Athens twice a year, the most recent of which occurred April 6.

                Deborah Wagner, medical science teacher, heads up the Athens Drive blood drives through REX Hospital Blood Services. She says there was a push after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 for schools to hold blood drives.

                “I'm a RN [Registered Nurse], so I'm very aware of the constant need for blood,” said Wagner.  “Mr. Crockett is very supportive of us having a blood drive.”

                Each donor donates a pint of blood. In order to donate, students must be at least seventeen years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Recent travel or antibiotics may also affect whether or not one can donate.

                “I thought it was really nice gesture, and I always wanted to give blood. It was disappointing that I couldn’t,” says Sabina Jamal, junior, who could not give blood due to a recent trip out of the country. “I wanted to give blood to help people that need it.”

                Donated blood cannot be stored for long periods of time. For that reason, blood donation banks must be continuously replenished. Healthy blood donors may donate blood every 56 days and are encouraged to do so. 

                “Students should participate [in the blood drive].  Many teachers give and this sets a good example for students.  The shelf life for a unit of blood is only 21 days!” says Wagner. “This is why the supply needs to be constantly replenished.”

                More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day to accommodate the need for blood. Patients with cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell disease, anemia and other disorders all need sometimes frequent blood transfusions.

                In addition, blood transfusions are often needed in emergency situations. One out of every ten people admitted to the hospital needs blood. In fact, a single car accident victim can require up to 100 units of blood. The Red Cross estimates that 4.5 million Americans would die each year without life-saving blood transfusions.

                “I donated blood because I know there are so many sick people out there that really need it. I think its important to do it if you’re a healthy person. You can literally save someone’s life by just sitting there for a few minutes,” said Rachel Seay, senior.

                In addition to the 90 pints of blood collected by Athens in October, Wagner estimates that the most recent blood drive collected 95 pints of blood from 118 donors.

Since every pint of blood helps save up to three lives, the April blood drive alone could have saved 285 lives.

                Despite the success of previous blood drives, Wagner is still looking to improve and make each blood drive better than the last.

                “This spring drive went well…We had lots of volunteers.  One thing we will do differently next year is to start at 8:00 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m., and we will run until 2:00 p.m., instead of 1:30 p.m.,” said Wagner. “The earlier start will help teachers with first block planning to be able to give.”

                Students who participate in blood drives can earn hours for National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and Key Club.

                “We have a wonderful student body here at Athens, and I really appreciate how giving they are!” said Wagner.