HOSA’s is partnering with Carter Blood Care for its annual blood drive on Monday for those 16 and older.
“Each unit of blood can save up to three lives, which is why it’s so important for us to collect blood,” HOSA co-president senior Sophie Yang said. “Actually, the blood drive representative came to talk to us yesterday, and she told us that 25% of all blood collected comes from high schools like us. So, that’s why it’s so important for us to help them create this blood drive – this collection, so they can save more lives.”
Students in HOSA often aim for a career in the medical field with sophomore Nitya Anam recognizing the role blood drives can play in possibly saving lives.
“In a trauma room, when the patient is constantly losing blood, the blood from this drive has the possibility of saving their lives and helping them see another day,” Anam said. “Or, in surgery, the blood collected can be used to save the patient from losing too much blood.”
Unbeknownst to most, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes to make this event go smoothly.
“Our officer team has been really diligent in advertising the drive, which is really important since we want as many people donating as possible,” Yang said. “We’ve been kind of working out the logistical things like how we’re gonna set up the desks, how we’re gonna do the sign-in and sign-out. Also, we’ve been making sure that everyone who donates has an escort to walk them back to their class so that in case they aren’t feeling well, there’s always someone with them.”
For junior Jovel Jovan, a past experience involving a loved one has inspired him to donate.
“If I can help somebody who needs to survive, then I’m going to do it,” Jovan said. “My grandpa died of a cardiovascular disease five years ago, and a couple years later they came out with the process that would’ve saved his life. So, knowing that somebody out there is probably going through the same thing, where they’re grandpa needs blood to survive – if I can help with that, then I wanna help with that so nobody has to go through the same thing.”
