“One pint can save three lives” is the message volunteers and staff at the annual Key Club blood drive were emphasizing. To event coordinators, organizing such an event is like clockwork, but that description doesn’t even scratch the surface of how much this drive impacts the community.
Key Club has been cooperating with OneBlood for years; at the end of every quarter, students aged sixteen and older are offered the opportunity to donate blood. For each pint, they earn a solid 10 hours, which is fitting, considering the average recovery from blood withdrawal.
OneBlood’s newly appointed Account Representative, Jasmine Norville explains; “a lot of [the donations] go [towards] our burn victims, our neonatal ICU, hurricane relief, and hospitals. You’re doing a good thing, plus you get pizza.”
Norville has been organizing events with OneBlood since July of this year and has expressed her sheer dedication towards her city. According to Norville, the Pines Charter campus is just one of many Oneblood accounts. “I have other high schools and businesses I frequently encourage to host blood drives, saving more lives throughout the year,” she says.
In this blood drive alone, there was an estimated turnout of 91 donors. According to Key Club’s Vice President, senior Elijah Loucks, students can arrive with a readily signed forms or opt to fill one out on-site. He states, “we usually get about 20-30 people signed up before and then at least 70 walk-ins. It’s important they are getting parental consent to save time.”
Key Club Sponsor, Micheal Biggerman also notes that not all students who show up get to donate; “If your blood does not have enough iron or enough pressure [for instance,] then you might not be able to donate this time or ever.”
Senior Emily Arcia has been fortunate to contribute to every blood drive since she was eligible. This blood drive in particular was her third but most certainly not her last. Arcia expresses that “sure it’s uncomfortable, but I’m saving people’s lives you know? It only [stings] a little bit and [then] the pain will go away.”
This year alone, Key Club received over 80 pints of blood from students (OneBlood’s quarterly goal), which made for another successful blood drive to remember. As the next blood drive comes along, there is hope for Jags to donate even more, circulating care throughout the community.
