By Abby Hite, Staff Writer
As you lie there waiting for the cold prick of the needle on your arm, the nerves begin to set in. “Is this worth it,” you ask yourself. You feel a slight pinch and then — nothing! All the horror stories and exaggerated pain you had heard about now seem like something out of a “Grey’s Anatomy” episode.
The HOSA Club, led by Health Science teacher Jennifer Kovacs, holds at least one blood drive every year. On Wednesday, May 29, the club will be holding a new kind of drive, one that focuses on students who are not able to donate during the rest of year due to sports or other activities. Every sports team will be represented along with the fine arts department and a clubs division.
- Schedule an appointment here! https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time
The “Save the Day” blood drive will be a combination of American Red Cross and Be The Match, the national bone marrow registry. Anyone 16 — with a parent’s signature — and older can donate blood if they meet the requirements, and anyone who is 18 or older can sign up for Be The Match. Joining the marrow registry only requires a swab of your mouth — it does not guarantee you will be giving blood marrow.
Many students at First Flight have donated blood before and continue to because they understand just how important their contribution is. But there has been confusion in the past with athletes because many think they have to sit out practice or a game if they donate that day.
“They are healthy young adults and they can participate in everything they’re doing on a daily basis,” Kovacs said. “But on that particular day they need to practice on the lighter side.”
Large numbers of people are eligible to donate but don’t because they think it doesn’t make a difference. Each donation can potentially save up to three lives, according to redcross.org. There is a massive need for blood all over the country, and every type is needed.
On May 29, when you successfully donate, that donation will get a little red heart to be put into a container for the sport, fine arts department or club of your choice. Whichever group receives the most donations will get an ice cream party during Empower Time the next day, provided by Kovacs and the HOSA Club. Spots remain for parents and community members to donate — from 9:30 to 3:30 — as well as FFHS tries to set a donation record for the year: This is the first time the school has hosted three blood drives in the same year.
Everyone should have the opportunity to donate and this day was chosen so everyone could. The date is after AP exams, before regular exams and has no athletic competitions.
“Kids are so busy with sports, after-school activities, the play, band and academics that they don’t have time in their schedule for anything else and we as adults need to help,” Kovacs said.
Junior Abby Hite can be reached at [email protected].
