Each year Cathedral Prep hosts two blood drives through the help of NHS and the Community Blood Bank. This past Wednesday, Feb. 19, Cathedral Prep held the second of the two blood drives. With the help of the students in NHS at Prep, this blood drive was made possible. Led by Tyler Darden and Thomas Swanson, who chaired this blood drive, 38 people donated their blood to the Community Blood Bank. Along with them, many members of NHS signed up to help out at certain stations of the blood drive, such as working at the sign-in table and helping distribute food and beverages at the snack table for those who gave their blood. 

“This a great way to help support our community through our school,” said Prep senior Daniel Cooper, who donated blood that day. 

There are going to be two opportunities next school year for those that may be interested in giving blood. For those who do not know, or are interested in how the blood drive works, here is what happens:

Everyone will have the opportunity to sign up to either to help work the blood drive or to donate their blood at both lunches during the week prior to the blood drive. Those interested in donating need to be at least 16 years old, however, to participate in the blood drive. Those who sign up to donate blood will receive an appointment time to give blood on the day of the drive. 

Always make sure to eat breakfast and stay hydrated before giving blood on the day of the drive.

Once those who are donating arrive to the blood drive for their appointment, the next step will be to fill out a questionnaire to make sure that they are able to donate, along with drinking an entire bottle of water before donating. After being cleared to donate, they will go through a quick health screening to make sure all is well with the body before giving blood. Once the donor clears the health screening, they will sit in a nice, reclined chair to relax their body while they draw the blood. This process takes about 10 – 20 minutes, in order to make sure the donors are safe and healthy while donating blood. 

After the process of drawing blood has been completed, it is time to enjoy some refreshments and snacks. Those who donated are required to make sure to eat and drink for a period of about 15 minutes after giving blood to make sure that the donors are feeling well after the donation. 

“It was an excellent experience. Everyone is so nice and friendly, and it was a quick and easy process,” said senior Tim Socash, who gave blood on Wednesday. 

This past blood drive was a big success. The main reason for this was the large number of walk-ins that came to donate blood. If those who are interested do not sign up before, they do have the opportunity to walk in and give blood, as long as the donors are of the age of 17 or higher, and if age 16, a parent permission form is required to give blood. Many members of our Prep faculty came to donate blood as walk-ins during this past blood drive as well. 

For anyone looking to make a difference in the community, outside of just the Prep community, giving blood through the Community Blood Bank is a great way. Students can save more than just one life by donating just a fraction of their blood. The students that gave blood at this past blood drive had a great experience, and many that donate are regulars and donate at every chance they get. 

Senior Adam Cropp said it best. “It is a great way to get out of class for a good cause.”