Park held a Valentine’s blood drive Jan. 8. These blood drives are spread out throughout the year, so many can have the opportunity to give back and help save lives. They are held during the school day and are open to anyone who is willing to donate.
Nurse Yvette Vang is a strong believer in the donation of blood. She encourages donating as it will have a great impact on others. She said all blood drives are a great opportunity to give back to the community.
“It helps younger generations not be scared of needles and to save lives,” Vang said. “I volunteer my blood to help save lives as well.”
The Blood Drive is an annual way to give back. Senior Johnny Erdmann said, his experience of donating blood is a quick and easy process.
“It was pretty good,” Erdmann said. “I came in here to donate blood, and it only took about ten minutes, and it was done.”
Senior Nolan Heinrichs said he finds giving blood to be a fulfilling experience. He has donated his blood every chance he can in order to help others. He says that knowing people will benefit from his blood is a great incentive to volunteer.
“I’m pretty sure I have donated my blood any chance I can get, and it’s a very good experience considering I’m scared of needles,” Heinrichs said. “It is a very important cause which requires people to help.”
Vang said how important it is to donate blood no matter how alarming it might look or sound. Vang believes it is a great way to give back to people who really need it.
“Even though needles may be scary, the beneficial factor of helping others makes it all worth it,” Vang said.
According to Erdmann, he strongly encourages donating blood because of the reward of helping people when they need it.
“I chose to donate blood because people need it and I wanted to help,” Erdmann said.
Heinrichs said he is confident that blood drives are a great way to volunteer to give back to your own community. He says that the good feeling it brings makes it all worth it in the end.
“I think that they bring people with blood shortages emergency blood to help them survive,” Heinrichs said. “It also gives you a chance to volunteer and help give back to the community, and it makes me feel good.”
