Carlmont students await the upcoming blood drive, where they are given the opportunity to save three lives by donating a pint of blood.
The semi-annual blood drive hosted by Carlmont is approaching soon, and registration forms are now available in the ASB room.
The blood drive is an opportunity for students to join the approximate 6.8 million blood donors in the United States, according to The Red Cross.
ASB commissioner Clara Vltavsky said, “The blood drive is a good way for the students of Carlmont to give to the community by donating and saving three lives. There is always a demand for blood, so by donating, students are easily contributing to people in need.”
The registration forms were made available on Feb. 26 and will continue to be accessible to all students until March 9. The blood drive will be held on March 22 in the Student Union.
ASB, specifically the Do Something commission, was in charge of organizing the event. They partnered with the Stanford Blood Center to bring the necessary equipment and have an outlet to send the blood after donation.
As long as applicants meet the age, height, and weight requirements, all students and teachers are eligible to donate blood. All donors under the age of 16 must meet the required weight that alters depending on their height and gender. All donors older than 19 must be at least 110 pounds. Any applicants under the age of 18 must have a signed parental consent form filled out before donation.
Vltavsky said, “[Based on previous blood sales], we are expecting about 100 sign-ups, and from that about 75 viable units of blood.”
According to the Red Cross, the donation process usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes, with additional check-in time and a resting period after. Afterwards, ASB provides food and snacks for donors.
“There’s always a really high demand for healthy blood so it feels good to be able to help out others in an easy, convenient way right here at school,” sophomore Tia Papapietro said.
