Tuesday, September 24, the annual tradition of giving blood at WCA continued as a small group of students and teachers gathered to give blood.  Less people attended the Blood Drive this year due to the fact that it took place after school as opposed to during the school day.

The blood drive is always led by the American Red Cross who worked with our school to plan and organize the drive.  The Red Cross also brought equipment and supplies, set up everything and took it down once the drive had been concluded.  Giving blood was a simple and easy way for members of the WCA community to save lives.

“I wanted to give blood because it sounded like a cool way to help people,” said Emily Sulewski, junior.

According to the American Red Cross website,”The actual donation takes about 8-10 minutes, during which you will be seated comfortably. The process is safe and sterile.”

Not only is giving blood easy, but it is also a substantial way to benefit others.  The need for blood is constant and it is important for the American Red Cross to receive many contributions to maintain a healthy and reliable blood supply.  Five million patients in the U.S. need blood each year and just one pint of blood can save up to three lives.

“I did a lot of research during lunch and learned that donating blood helps save many people’s lives,” said Jill Coyne, senior.

At the blood drive, there were veterans of blood donations as well as first timers.  All who participated were grateful for the opportunity and felt accomplished knowing that they were donating something many Americans are in need of.

“It was my first time, and I would actually do it again because I loved that I got to help people,” said Sulewski.

Some more apprehensive students even took it into their own hands to do some research about giving blood.

“Because I’ve never donated before, I also researched the process and what I should do to prepare. It mentioned drinking plenty of water beforehand and eating iron-rich foods a couple weeks in advance, all of which I conveniently did of my own accord,” said Coyne

Hopefully, more students will attend WCA’s blood drive next year but if not, it is always a good time to give blood!  Opportunities to donate blood or attend other blood drives in the St. Louis area can be found at http://www.redcrossblood.org/.