On May 23rd, La Porte High School hosted the 4th annual blood drive with the local American Red Cross. Students, staff, and other brave volunteers headed into the La Porte High School main gym from 8 am to 2 pm to give blood that could potentially save three lives.
The volunteers were rewarded with a free water bottle, a sticker, and the satisfaction knowing they made a difference. Volunteer staff and nurses moved about the stations testing and taking blood. A whopping 129 volunteers came together to give. Four blood drives are held at the school each year, two which are part of the Pint Sized Hero drive.
“Over 500 units are needed each day in our region which includes Northern Indiana and part of Ohio. This is why we do blood drives just about every day. Platelets only live for five days, so when someone donates blood it gets separated into plasma, red cells, and platelets. Platelets are usually given to people undergoing chemotherapy,” Maryann Dwan, donor recruitment representative, explained.
Many people may be squeamish about giving blood, but the temporary fear is worth the knowledge of helping others. One out of every ten hospital patients needs blood, and individuals who are over the age of seventeen, or sixteen with parental consent, may donate.
Blood donator Drahcir Hoke explained, “I decided to give blood because I think it does good things. I am terrified of needles. I have done the last three blood drives because I desperately need to get over my fear of needles. But donating blood is a positive thing and a way to help.”
The American Red Cross will continue holding blood drives throughout the community and at La Porte High School in the future. For more information on how you can step up to the plate and donate visit www.givelife.org or www.redcross.org.
Dwan added, “We really encourage everybody to give blood. It is a wonderful thing to do.”