This coming Thursday and Friday, February 17th and 18th, NHS is hosting a blood drive at LHS. Blood drives have been hosted at LHS in the past, but the importance of participating has skyrocketed during the first ever “blood crisis” in the United States.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been a 10% decline in blood donors and with COVID, blood drives have been canceled and additionally, blood donations usually are lower during flu season according to The Red Cross. All of these factors together have cut the nation’s blood supply severely, causing doctors to pick and choose who gets a blood transfusion.
“There’s a super big blood shortage right now because of COVID, so we’re just trying to help out in any way we can,” said NHS president and senior Abby Sawicki.
Students who are 16 or older can participate and those who are 16 or 17 must have a permission slip signed by their parents. There are also height and weight restrictions that you must fall under if you intend to participate.
“If you are younger than [16 or 17], unfortunately you can’t donate blood, but if you still want to help out you can bring in your parents or ask friends older than you to come donate,” said Sawicki.
Permission forms and appointments can be found in the counseling office-in order to make an appointment, you must turn in a permission slip first and they will be held each day until 1:30 PM.
“NHS members will be bringing snacks and it’s also just a great way to help out your community…people need blood right now and it’s something we all have and something we can all do to help,” said Sawicki.