![[left] President Mia Garza, Social Media Leslie, Jacquelynn Chavez, Lucero Hernandez, Isabella Leon, Carlos Longoria,Andrea Munoz, Secretary Madison Coats [right].](https://jhsjagjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_9339-1200x800.jpg)
Needles are scattered around the room. Shades of crimson bubble in vials, and the thick scent of old pennies mingles in the air. And yet, past these hallways, no screams of terror are heard.
Blood donation organization We Are Blood hosted a blood drive on Nov. 19 for students and teachers to donate blood to people in need of transfusions.
“Our program strives to help people of all ages that need blood, as people all across the U.S. need blood daily,” senior biomed student Cecily Luongo said.
Once a semester, We Are Blood reaches out to partner with the school’s biomed program for the benefit of patients in American hospitals, where the blood gathered by donors is transported from the organization’s distribution center.
“We try to have at least one blood drive each semester,” Luongo said. “That way those who haven’t had a chance to donate or who weren’t of age at the time of the initial one have [another] chance. The next one is sometime in February.”
The drives are performed to ensure the security of candidates’ personal information, health, and safety. Donors are required to be 17 or older and receive a general health check to ensure their blood is suitable for contribution before any procedure is initiated. Welfare discharge instructions, such as drinking water and avoiding physical activity, are given to all donors after the operation to guarantee the candidates’ well-being.
“I donated because it’s effortless for me. And at the same time, I can help a lot of people,” junior Alicia Cuenca said. “Overall, it was a very good experience for my first time and made me feel good. I would do it again, and the staff was also so sweet.”
Blood drives aid people with all sorts of afflictions, including burn victims, cancer victims and organ donors. The school’s blood drives grant students the opportunity to help others and save lives.
“I love the blood drives because helping people in need of a blood transfusion is something amazing,” Luongo said. “When you donate blood, you’re saving lives whether you know it or not.”
