The idea of a needle entering ones vein can be a little mind boggling to some, but with all the apprehensiveness of needles a side, the realization of it all  becomes clear that donating blood could save a life. For others, the feeling alone knowing that the blood given could change someone’s entire life completely  is enough.

SHS students lined up in the cafeteria waiting to put their name on the signup sheet to donate blood. This semesters fall blood drive is held by the National Honors Society. In the fall semester NHS  has the leadership necessary to make the fall blood drive successful according to NHS advisor Emler Sanders. The blood drive took place Dec. 5 in the east gym.

The blood drive in the Spring donates more to the Indiana Blood Center than the one in the fall.

Some students aren’t old enough until spring to donate that is why the Spring blood drive has a better outcome than the fall. In the fall SHS averages about 80 units of blood per year and in the the Spring the blood unit averages 120 units per year according to Sanders.

“By the time Spring comes more students are eligible to donate blood,” Sanders said. “ Also whoever doesn’t get to donate in the fall can sign up in the Spring.”

Donating blood can be a little scary to some. Hearing about people passing out or throwing up while they’re donating puts some in the back pedalling motion of wanting to donate. It’s all about taking the right precautions. Eating and drinking something before and after, relaxing and not getting Psyched out about it will help.

Sophomore Precious Kioni was one of the students who had every intention of donating blood. It is her first time being a blood donor. She feels that she needed to give blood to someone who needs a transplant or blood transfusion even if she’s terrified of needles. Kioni wants to help or save  people with illnesses.

“My mom passed away with Leukemia, and she had to get a lot of blood transfusions, so I would like to help with that as much as i can,” Kioni said.

Indiana Blood Center takes multiple units of blood a little over a pint. Four test tube vials get blood inserted to them for testing, making sure there are no pathogens or complications with the blood.