Students and staff at GHS helped others by participating in the blood drive on October 11th 2023.
Student council advisor Jeff Schaetzke was happy with how it went and encouraged kids to donate. “If someone feels comfortable, it’s a great way to truly give life to those who need it. Hospitals and health care providers are very short of blood right now, and one person can give enough blood to help 3 people.” Jeff Schaetzke said.
The school was able to help up to fifty-seven people in need of blood due to our 26 donors. One pint of blood that is drawn can help up to three people at a time. Out of the 26 donors, 15 of them were new to blood donating.
“It takes about 45 minutes total, even though the actual donating part takes between 10-15 minutes,” Schaetzke said. “We’ll have two more blood drives this year in February and April.”
Junior Avery Olson is a junior who donated blood. “I donated blood knowing I could save at least 3 people’s lives from just that blood which made me feel good, ” Avery Olson said. “Overall it was a really good experience. They fed me food, which is always a plus.”
This was Olsons first time donating blood, at first he was scared but the staff was able to help him feel better.
Student council members helped organize the blood drive. Senior Caiya Fuentes organized volunteers and promoted the drive around the school by spreading flyers and telling students.
“We came short with how many donors we wanted, but we still saved 57 lives. So students and staff should donate so we can save even more. Plus there’s always some sort of incentive that Versiti provides on organizing our own prize,” she said.
