Three lives can be saved when you donate blood. Twenty minutes of your time can be life saving.
HOSA hosts on two blood drives each year to help give back to our community. They work with ImpactLife, which is a non-profit organization who helps collect blood and distribute it to patients in need. The first blood drive of the year takes place Oct. 4 in the small gym.
Anumitha Vaka, a senior who is in HOSA and in charge of helping with the drive, says that donating blood is important because you never know when hospitals will run out of blood.
“Running out of blood determines whether someone lives or dies, especially with Covid times hospitals were on low blood,” Anumitha said. “So it’s important that right now we start donating more and keep this as a regular practice.”
Last year, HOSA collected 59 units of blood which amounts to over 177 lives saved. This year, HOSA is looking forward to collecting over 100 units of blood. Anumitha says they’re a little under 100 units, “around 80 or 90 units so we are hoping for a lot of last-minute donations.”
If you are interested in giving blood, the easiest way to sign up is to go down to the cafeteria and find the blood drive table. If you are 16, you will need a form your parents need to sign. If you are 17 and older, all you have to do is scan a QR code and it will take you to form you will need to fill out. Then tell the person who is sitting by the table your name and what hour works for you to give blood and you’re all signed up.
Loukya Vaka, a sophomore who is in HOSA, says once you give blood you are benefiting so many lives around you.
“I think that any and all ways of service and donating yourself, your time, your blood in this case, to a cause that is important,” Loukya remarks. “So if you ever feel like you want to help others, there are tons of ways to do so. If you do want to give blood but are a little apprehensive, then there are different resources out there that you can study apon.”
HOSA puts on two blood drives in the school year, one in the fall and another in the spring so if you missed out on this one then you can always donate to the one in the spring.
If you are interested in becoming a blood donor, visit ImpactLife’s website here.
