On April 12, the American Red Cross came to West to host a blood drive in the dance room. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., both adults and students volunteered to help out or to donate. Donors were given water and snacks to help mitigate the possible negative effects of donating as well as a $10 Amazon voucher via email if their donation was successful.
West’s Red Cross club started preparing in the fall when the club members first registered with the American Red Cross. Following meetings included screening for volunteers, making posters and promoting on social media leading up to the drive.
Forty-one total donors contributed to donate 31 units and 20 were first-time donors. Many first-time donors struggled with the fear and anxiety before donating but quickly discovered that it was easier than they thought.
“I think the anticipation of it was a lot more [painful] than how much it actually was, it was like 30 seconds of actual pain,” said Gwen Smith ’26. Similarly, Jarrett Hinrichs ’24 said, “I was a little nervous just because I’d never given blood before…but it really wasn’t that bad.” He did experience some negative side effects but quickly recovered with some water and rest. “At the time, I honestly didn’t feel anything. [Afterwards] I started to get a little faint, but other than that, I was good.”
Seasoned donor Nora Stier ’24 says to, “Follow the instructions to the letter. Drink as much water as you can handle, eat a really good breakfast, don’t do any strenuous activity…when you donate blood, listen to the people that tell you to not do anything because they’re right.”
Stier started donating in her sophomore year at a Red Cross Club drive in a spur-of-the-moment decision but continued to donate both at school and around town. “I’ve donated every April at this school donation drive…[and] around Christmas time at a blood drive at the mall…And I just signed up without really thinking about the fact that I was donating blood and it would require a needle in my arm.” Like the other first-time donors, Stier found it easier than expected. “But then I actually got there and I was like ‘As long as I don’t think too much about it, it’s fine.’ And I didn’t have any bad reactions or anything.”
Next year’s blood drive is still in the works, but expect further information in the fall for both donors and volunteers. Contact club advisor Jessica Mehegan in room 230 or at [email protected] with questions.
