The Indiana blood center was the sponsor for the event. Their equipment makes the donations happen.

“If my red blood cells can save three lives, it’s worth my time,” says Hannah Delacruz ’14 about her experience at the blood drive at the school on the 20th of November.

The blood drive was  considered a success by its sponsor Mrs. Newgent.  She said,“We got twice as many donors to show up than planned appointments.”.

The increase in support did make the experience a little longer than some participants expected but Andrew Redd ’13 said, “It was a good problem to have.”

The participants checked in to the drive upon their arrival. Afterward they waited for their turn to be interviewed and their finger was pricked to test the iron levels in their blood. If they weren’t anemic they waited for a donating chair and sat down to donate. Most participants donated a pint, which is said to be able to save three lives. With around eighty donors that means our community saved 240 lives in just about six hours.

“Most of our donors are students or faculty members,” says Mrs. Newgent, “The biggest reason people don’t donate is because they don’t know about the drive.”

There will be a second blood drive in the spring.