Three times a school year, Park’s DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) class and the Red Cross of America team up to hold blood drives at the high school. The most recent one was held May 8, allowing high school volunteers to spend their time organizing the drive for Park residents.
According to the event’s organizer and DECA adviser Abby Lugo, donating blood is a way to change lives and gives students the opportunity to make a difference in our world. She said Park students can feel involved in something for the greater good.
“It’s important because each pint of blood collected can save three lives,” said Lugo. “This is a way for our SLP high school community to get involved and make a difference in the greater world we live in.”
Sophomore volunteer Ingrid Kotnik said that by participating in blood drives, people are working towards giving people something important that is in rare supply.
“There are a lot of people who need blood for various medical reasons,” Kotnik said. “Blood isn’t something that we can make out of thin air. It’s really good to help someone who may need it.”
According to sophomore volunteer Elsa Crow, helping work at a blood drive is a way to engage in the medical field and pursue her passion for nursing early.
“(Working with the blood drive) is a way to help people who need it,” Crow said. “I’m also really passionate about being a nurse someday.”
According to Kotnik, volunteering at the blood drives is something she’s been doing for three years and has come to love.
“I really love volunteering with (the) blood drives,” Kotnik said. “You always meet a lot of fun people, and it’s just nice to help out. There’s always some logistical stuff we have to fix, but the process is always the same, and it isn’t a big issue. Overall, it’s really nice.”
Lugo said she fully encourages high school students to donate blood during these blood drives. According to her, she hopes that by understanding how important it is to give blood, students will participate.
“I think (we need to understand) the greater impact that we have. We need to move away from ‘What’s in it for me?’ and see how we are all connected in the world,” said Lugo. “You never know where life may lead you someday, and you might be on the other side of things, needing the blood.”
Crow said that she would encourage students to give blood,emphasizing how much it can help people in need.
“You have to be sixteen to do it,” Crow said. “Once you’re old enough, we encourage students to donate. By giving blood, you’re literally saving millions (of lives).”
To learn more about giving blood, visit the Red Cross website.
