Parker Ratzlaff, BHS Journalism

On Tuesday, November 25th from 8am  - 2pm, the Red Cross was in Jim Baker Fieldhouse at Buhler High School collecting blood donations. There is a nationwide blood shortage, so BHS hosted a blood drive. Students, staff, and parents signed  up to donate with a link that was shared in an email from organizer Mrs. Kelley Whisler and the Buhler school district. 

Red Cross blood donations took a nosedive in July 2024, dropping their blood supply over 25%, due to a significant drop in blood donors. Currently, there is still a blood shortage and a need for as many blood donations as possible.

In the past two years, the average units of blood donated from BHS staff, students, and community members was 57 units of blood. One blood donation can save up to 3 lives, so in the past two years, up to 342 lives could have been saved.

BHS science teacher and blood drive organizer Kelley Whisler talks about the importance of blood donations. 

“You know you’re saving a life when you donate blood and that's a pretty good feeling to know that little bit of uncomfortableness for 15 minutes is literally saving somebody's life,” said Whisler. 

Sometimes people are afraid to donate or don’t know what the process is like. Mrs. Kimberly Cottam, BHS FACS teacher and 5-time donor explains the process.  

“A worker from the Red Cross takes you for the interview first, making sure you are of age, weight, and have enough iron. They want to keep you comfortable and safe,” said Cottam. 

“After you get cleared, they take you to the table and you choose an arm to use. You don't have to watch any of the process if you don't want because they give you verbal directions. You squeeze a stress ball item to get the blood flowing and you wait until it's done. The needle hurts a tiny bit, but not as much as you'd think. At the end, they give you snacks and drinks to get your blood sugar back up!”

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Your single donation can save up to three lives, directly impacting patients undergoing surgery, fighting cancer, or recovering from trauma. Don't wait for a crisis; the need is constant.

Other local donation drives can be found by going to redcrossblood.org.