Aiding at the Red Cross blood drive, these staff members comfort as well as help keep the drive organized. Photo by: Janessa Salazar
By Katie Sommers
Provided with the opportunity, countless students and teachers have made the choice to donate blood to the Red Cross on Wednesday, August 21.
The Red Cross Blood Drive has been coming to Plymouth High School for over 25 years. Mrs. Laura Kruyer remembers donating when she was a student. The purpose of having the blood drive is donating to save lives. Each donation can save up to three lives. The second purpose of the blood drive is, “it helps to build a sense of community. Each person has a responsibility to give back to society and help to make it better,” said Mrs. Kruyer.
Although donating blood to the Red Cross is to help save lives, there are several restrictions for giving blood. The most common restrictions are problems with height, weight, and age. If all do not balance out correctly, people are not allowed to donate for their safety. Mrs. Kruyer said, “Medications, iron levels, and even traveling out of country can is some cases prohibit someone from donating.” Individuals are evaluated so they are cleared to donate. Being a first timer at something can be difficult. The best way to keep first timers for donating blood at ease and calm is by educating them. “The more a person knows about the process, the less likely they will feel anxiety. It helps to have a distraction too. Many donors listen to music during the process,” Mrs. Kruyer said.
Giving blood to the Red Cross, senior April Bowen raised her arm after donating blood to get the blood flowing again. Photo by: Janessa Salazar
Understanding the process of donating blood is a good thing to know too, as one prepare to donate. “As a donor walks into the facility, he or she will be asked for photo id and date of birth. Donors are asked a series of questions in the history portion of the process and iron levels are checked,” said Mrs. Kruyer. The next step is the donation itself; a pint of blood is taken and it takes about 10 minutes depending on the person. When they are done, they are escorted to the recreation center for something to eat and drink. The whole process is about one hour long.
After donating blood there are many physical and emotional feelings one may have. “Most students feel good after giving blood. Of course drinking plenty of fluids help,” said Mrs. Kruyer. Giving blood gives people a warm, fuzzy feeling that they just helped another person live.
With the Blood Drive occurring at school during school hours, it provides a bit of business at school with the attendance office and teachers. The Varsity Club and Social Studies department help organize the blood drive. They help in checking people in, giving out drinks while people donate, and cleaning up. Many other groups on the school help keep the blood drive moving smoothly. “The maintenance staff prepares the facility. Mrs. Williams in the kitchen orders supplies. The FACs department and its students make the sandwiches. Mrs. Morales and Mrs. Pulliam help with the verification portion. Mrs. Craft resolves attendance questions. Nurses Magee and Rearick step in when donors do not feel so well. Administrators, teachers, and staff give their support and are very understanding on a very crazy day,” said Mrs. Kruyer.
Volunteering at Red Cross, Seniors Michael Garrity, Matt Flynn, John Stillson, Luke Schumacher, and Trenton Briles are Varisty club members that took time from their day to help Mrs. Kruyer run the blood drive smoothly. Photo by: Janessa Salavar
After a business day of maintaining the blood drive, Mrs. Kruyer knows this is all about giving back to the community as well as helping others and allowing students to take part in the event.