One pint.
That’s all it takes to save three lives.
On Oct. 19, Carlmont along with Stanford Blood Center held the Blood Drive in the Student Union.
“Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood,” said Monica Doleshel, account manager of Stanford Blood Center.
With recent disasters such as Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the fires in California, earthquakes in Mexico, and the Las Vegas shooting, the demand for blood has increased, according to Doleshel.
Doleshel said, “Emergencies and natural disasters like these cause awareness of donating blood, but people need to remember that the want for blood is 24/7.”
In the weeks leading up to the Blood Drive, ASB put up posters and handed out forms for students to sign up.
Nurse Sami Gingher who has worked at Carlmont for seven years said, “Students are at the perfect age to donate blood. If you are healthy and you want to give, then you should, but the decision should be made within the person.”
In previous years, Carlmont worked with Red Cross to run the Blood Drive. However, due to issues with Red Cross, this year, Carlmont worked with Stanford Blood Center.
Liz Boman, a senior and supervisor of the ASB Do Something commision which ran the blood drive, said, “Red Cross wasn’t very organized or communicative with us, and we had to turn down some people because Red Cross didn’t bring enough equipment. Stanford Blood Center is a much better fit for us, so we decided to work with them.”
Stanford Blood Center caters blood drives to more than 40 high schools across northern and central California, according to Doleshel.
Many students were initially hesitant to give blood.
“Many students are scared of the pain, feeling faint after they donate, or just afraid of needles in general,” said Boman.
However, after donating, many students felt that the satisfaction of helping others and saving lives outweighed their misgivings.
Doleshel said, “If you have a fear of donating blood, visualize the patients who are needing blood and how you are helping them to live.”
Friends Allie Mercier, a senior, and Suzy Floersch, a junior, donated blood together.
Floersch said, “You’re helping people and saving three lives. Knowing this made me face my fears. Considering how much pain those people in need of blood have, donating does not compare.”
For some students, knowing that their friends were there to support them helped with the blood-giving process.
“I have never been awesome with needles and blood so I just turned my head to Suzy. She distracted me by talking and before I knew it, I was donating blood. Plus, after you donate you get free snacks,” said Mercier.
In addition to helping to patients and those in need, donating blood is a way for people to express pride in having a healthy body.
“By donating blood every two months, it is a way to celebrate my good health by helping others. Organizing the blood drive makes a difference in others’ lives. To be part of a group that saves lives motivates me,” said Doleshel.
