Park to host blood drive March 4
Free blood typing increases student engagement
Junior Lydia Hammond gets her blood type taken during third lunch Feb. 28. Memorial Blood Drive will be hosting a blood drive hours 1-6 March 4 at Park.
February 28, 2020
In preparation for the blood drive March 4, Alicia Northenscold, an account manager for Memorial Blood Drive, said the informational table in the Cafeteria Feb. 28 was intended to increase awareness for the upcoming blood drive.
“We are here today because we are starting the sign up for next week’s blood drive and so we really want to raise awareness and education to the students and then get them excited to give because you guys have a lot of potential to have a lot more donations then we usually receive,” Northenscold said. “We are also doing blood typing where you can find out what your blood type is right here right now.”
Junior Lydia Hammond said she tested her blood type because she was always curious about it and it was a chance to help students learn about giving blood.
“I’ve always wondered (what my blood type is) and it was free so I was like ‘why not?’” Hammond said. “I think this is a really good idea because people are really curious about this type of stuff and it’s a good opportunity to learn more about it, and it benefits other people.”
According to Northenscold, donating blood is an easy way to make an impact in other peoples’ lives.
“It saves lives, it’s completely selfless, it’s a giving volunteer-type act. Every donation we separate in our lab and we separate them from red cells, plasma and platelets,” Northenscold. “One donation goes to three different people so it’s impacting lives and it’s saving lives.”
Typically, blood drives at Park don’t generate as many donations as they could, according to Northenscold. I think we have generated a lot of excitement, sign-ups are going really well — Alicia Northenscold
“The numbers have been really low, we have schools in this area that pull in 60-100 donors for a drive and the last drive that we had here there was only 13 units collected and the drive before that, 11, so that’s a really small number for the amount of bodies that are here, faculty included,” Northenschold said.
According to senior Tsui Scott, he was curious about his blood type, but also thinks it’s a good opportunity to make a difference.
“(I got my blood type tested) just to see what type I was and I like helping people,” Scott said. “It’s pretty nice, people get involved (to) help others, that’s the most important thing. Helping somebody in need, if you’re good might as well help someone else.”
Northenschold said she believes testing students’ blood type has increased interest in the blood drive that will take place March 4.
“I think we have generated a lot of excitement, sign-ups are going really well. It’s just a matter of whether students show up next Wednesday or not, but I think being here and engaging with the students is really helping,” Northenschold said.
Students over the age of 16 can participate in the blood drive March 4, but if they are 16 they will need a permission slip signed by a parent or guardian.
