South Side Students Donates to Red Cross for Patients in Need

By Montserrat Nino (9)
montserrat.nino@fwcsstudents.org

March 14, 2024

South Side had a blood drive so students can donate blood for people who are in need of it. This blood gets taken to hospitals in case of blood shortages.

“The national honors society has always helped to facilitate the blood drive here at South Side so I helped to co-sponsor the national honors society and that is why I chose to help with the blood drive,” Co-sponsor Ashley Tapia said. 

The national honors society helps with the blood drive by making sure the blood that is being donated is facilitated. This way the donated blood is able to go by easier and quicker. 

“The red cross has a lot of incentive for students who are nervous but also it doesn’t take very long. They would put a cloth over the needle if you don’t like to look at needles although you can look away and you don’t have to watch the giving of the blood if that’s what you are worried about and either way your body replenishes the blood that you give so in the end you are not losing anything. You can get snacks, prizes, and some students choose to donate blood in the middle of classes they don’t like,” Tapia said. 

If a student is nervous or scared to donate blood for whatever reason the red cross makes sure everyone feels comfortable and always tries their best to make them feel more confident while they are donating. Plus you get a prize when you donate.

“I wanted to participate in the blood drive because the blood drive goes to a good cause and I wanted to be helpful for those who are in need,” Ava Baron (12) said 

When you donate blood it is taken to hospitals every day for 24 hours, 7 days a week. When receiving the blood hospitals would usually keep blood units on their shelves for emergencies. 

 “The blood drive’s main goal is to collect blood that they can take to hospitals and use for patients who would need the blood themselves,” Baron said. 

Blood donations are so hospitals don’t run out of blood for patients who may be in need of it. When patients go through surgery or have serious injuries they would need blood so they are not at a high risk of death.

“People don’t have a reason to be nervous or scared, there’s professional nurses there who will make sure you are perfectly taken care of,” Baron said. 

The nurses who help you are professionally trained and will make sure you are safe. They will make sure there are no complications in the blood drive. 

“I wanted to participate in the blood drive because for one reason I knew I could help people who don’t have access to the things that they may need which in this case blood donations and being a part of the blood drive it gives people free access to what they need,” Kyler Smith (12) said.

By participating in the blood drive you can help so many people with getting access to blood easily for any emergencies. 

 “The blood drive is for helping those who are in need yet they don’t have the access that they would need for it so when you donate blood it gives them that free access to get what they need,” Smith said.

When someone doesn’t have access to something whether it’s because of being low on cash or not feeling like you can do it then the blood drive is there to help you out! 

“I would tell someone who was scared to donate blood to go ahead and just do it. The nurses there will reassure you and everything, and it’s fine because they don’t take too much blood, they just take what they need, which is about one pint,” Smith said. 

A pint is 16 fluid ounces which is about half a quart. The nurses are said to be very caring and will do anything to make sure the students feel safe. 

 “I wanted to donate blood for people who may need it. I just want to help others so they can get a sense of hope,” Melissa Horta (11) said. 

Blood donations have so many benefits like low risk of cancer, can improve liver health, reducing iron, and so much more. 

“The blood drive is so you can give blood for people and hospitals who need it,” Horta said. 

People who lose a lot of blood would need donations as for hospitals that are running out. 

“At first it is scary but then later on you won’t be scared because it’s a quick process and they make sure you feel okay before taking the blood,” Horta said. 

It's okay to be scared to get blood taken out of you but so students know that you feel it but only for a couple of seconds. 

Also, don't forget to follow us on Twitter (@TheArrowSSHS) for updates on stories and other content here on The Arrow.

Do you have an idea that you'd like seen in The Arrow?  

Please fill out this form.