The needle tears through layers of delicate skin. She looks away, ready for the sting to cease. Thick dark blood travels up the tube.
A life is saved.
Junior Zoe Wildman is one of many Carlmont High School students who donated her blood to the American Red Cross during the Carlmont blood drive on Oct. 30.
“I had never done it before. I wanted to know what it was like to donate blood,” said Wildman.
Carlmont’s Associated Student Body united with the American Red Cross to collect various types of blood to treat hospital patients nationwide.
“We work with the Red Cross because they are very friendly, well established, and efficient,” said Mathilde Zanelly, a senior and head of the Carlmont blood drive.
According to the American Red Cross, a single donation of blood can treat up to three people in need. With over 60 sign ups for the blood drive, ASB was able to collect enough blood to treat more than 180 patients.
“Donors are evaluated to make sure that they feel comfortable donating, have a specific level of iron in their blood, and are healthy, as in they are not on any medication. The donors are also asked a few other questions before being allowed to donate to ensure that they are able to give viable blood,” said Zanelly.
While the majority of donors at this event were students, other members of Carlmont were encouraged to participate.
Science teacher Gigi Kruse-Silva was also a donor. “I have O-negative blood. They love my blood,” said Silva.
Although Silva donated because of her blood type, others had different reasons for participating in the blood drive.
The blood donated by Carlmont can help treat patients who were born with sickle cell disease, developed cancer and underwent chemotherapy, or were involved in an accident, according to the American Red Cross.
“The donors have to meet certain height and weight regulations and have to be 16 or older in order to assure the safety of those who are both donating and receiving the blood,” said Zanelly.
According to the American Red Cross, more than 41,000 blood donations are needed everyday. Due to the contribution of Carlmont’s blood drive, the American Red Cross got one step closer to their goal.
