This year’s blood drive was on Monday, April 29. Students are excited but nervous to donate their blood for a good cause. Despite having a fear of needles, or the sight of their own plasma, students are putting on brave faces.

“I was really freaking out, I thought it would hurt a lot so I almost chickened out the last second,” anonymous student.

 This year 161 participants donated, with 13 deferrals, 113 whole blood units, 36 double red cells, 5 platelets, 6 plasma. Each student donates 1 pint of blood. That may seem like a lot, but the average human has twelve pints of blood in their body.

“We usually have 150 kids sign up, and then we have 30 to 40 that get deferred, which means they can’t donate for some reason or another,” Mr. Cooke said.

If students are wanting to help people this might be something they’d want to do. Before deciding to donate blood, there are a few things students should consider. There are certain requirements that must be met to donate blood; and certain precautions that should be taken beforehand. Health problems and diseases play a big role in your ability to give blood.

Some things that may prevent students from donating are, having low iron, being on antibiotics, having the flu, being physically small or being positive for AIDS or hepatitis. Students must be at least 17 to donate. Be aware of what is going in your body before trying to donate blood.

If you are able to donate, here are some important tips you should know before donating: eat iron-rich foods such as spinach, red meat, fish, poultry, beans and raisins. A couple hours before you are scheduled to give blood, eat a balanced meal and avoid fatty foods. Get a good night’s sleep the night before, and drink an extra sixteen ounces of water beforehand.

While it’s too late to sign up this year, but there’s always next year. And if students graduating, they still have opportunities to donate at other blood drives. Remember, you could be saving a life.