The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center returned to Astoria high school on Monday, April 16, 2012, for the second blood drive of the school year. National Honor Society hosted the blood drive in the high school gym. Community members and high school students and staff helped collect twenty-six units of blood for the blood center.

Each donation of blood can be used as whole blood to save up to three lives or can produce up to four life saving products. The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center estimates thirty-eight percent of the U.S population is able to donate blood, but less than ten percent actually does.

Alex Wommack, a senior at Astoria, has donated enough to earn the title of Gallon Grad. “I think it’s amazing to be in high school and have given that much!” said Mrs. Tammy Weaver, NHS sponsor. Alex has donated a total of nine times in high school, which is one donation over the requirement of a Gallon Grad. Alex set this goal for himself when he turned sixteen (the required age to donate blood). “It feel pretty good [to be a Gallon Grad], especially because I’ve been working towards it for a few years.” He remembered being encouraged by his mother, a long time donor, to reach this goal. Alex would donate through the school and local churches as often as he could over the past two years.

Alex admitted to getting nervous before each donation. “It doesn’t hurt, but everyone gets nervous.” However, he still found each donation something to smile about. For Alex, the most joy came from knowing that he helped to save lives. “It’s really helping the community… and it will make you feel good in the end.”

Michelle Frieden, Mississippi Valley employee, believes, “its important to get high schoolers to donate because they are still forming their opinions on life. Donating blood is a way of getting in the nature of helping people… and it doesn’t cost money to give your blood and save a life.”