Why should you let a complete stranger stick a needle in your arm and draw one pint of your blood? Is it because afterwards you will be rewarded with sugary treats? Is it an excuse for missing class? Or is it for the benefit of others? Regardless of the motive, students and teachers continually strive to be one of the many people who get to participate in the biannual blood drive, hosted at Providence Academy every fall and spring. Held this year on November 17, the Blood Drive was a smashing success due its popularity amongst the students and faculty.
The National Honors Society not only organized the whole event, but they provided the delicious snacks, thirst quenching beverages, handmade thank you cards, donors, and informative posters! One of the main coordinators, who personally put in 14 hours of service, was Olivia Eck 22’. She eagerly took on this role because she knew she had the skills needed to accomplish the task. Eck remarked, “Running the whole drive is all organization and being friendly, which is what I love to do!” Despite it being stressful and time consuming, she figured out every detail with a smile on her face.
With that smile and can-do attitude, she was able to sign up 47 volunteers, 27 of which were able to donate one pint or more of blood.
Dr. Biebighauser, an Upper School English and Latin teacher at Providence, noted that the extra time and dedication put into this event is something to be commended for. “I’m really proud and grateful for the time students spent to put this together and for those who donated.”
Gage Pietrini 22’ was a volunteer who, despite being nervous over the idea of losing blood, commented, “It’s a small prick, which you can barely feel. Why not do it? It helps save lives!”
Maria Counts 22’, one of the five double donors who gave two pints of blood, says she went through this slightly nerve-racking process because, “Someday that could be me or my family members who need a blood transfusion.”
Biebighauser added, “This is the most time-effective way to do charity work.” He highlighted that donors being able to scroll through their phones, take a breather from the draining day, and sip a coffee are just a few of the many perks of giving blood.
Looking at the bigger picture, 40% of the nation’s blood and blood cell components come from donors. Blood donations are used for patients in need of surgery, cancer treatments, and transfusions for blood loss from traumatic injuries. How amazing is it that the human race invented a way to transfer blood from one healthy person to another who is in dire need? This concept is one that fascinates Biebighauser and many others. He remarked, “It’s an impressive operation how mankind has worked together to figure out how to restore blood and minimize harm to those donating.”
Not only is this event “worth the snacks” as Pietrini says, but it is one of the easiest ways to give back to the community. Eck certifies that it is “100% worth it!” All donors need to do is sit back, relax for a short period of time, then enjoy a doughnut and juice box.