National Honor Society hosted its first blood drive of the 2018-’19 school year on Monday, Nov. 5 in the Apollo Commons.

Around 80 people donated and 54 were first time donors according to senior Trina Freeders, one of the members of National Honor Society who organized the blood drive.

Although the number of participants was lower than previous years, she speculates the date of the blood drive (a Monday) and lack of advertisement played a large role.

Some changes came to the blood drive this year. The event has been lead by Mr. Ben Christian and Mrs. Deb Gauthier in previous years, but two new advisers (Mrs. Kristin Seidler and Mrs. Sarah Muraski) have taken over the position. 

“The organization in the beginning was a little rocky, but everything managed to work itself out,” Freeders said. She explains that they learned things that need to be improved for next time, like getting the word out earlier.

Despite the transition, organizers consider the blood drive a success.

According to MedicalDaily, blood shortages happen most during the holidays, so November and December are the best months to donate. Donating as often as possible is ideal, however, since someone needs blood every two seconds in the United States.

Every donation makes a change. Donating blood benefits the community and whoever receives the donation.

“On average,” Freeders said, “every donation saves an average of three lives.”  Blood only lasts for 90 days, so it is important to keep donating. According to the American Red Cross, type O positive blood is the most common blood type and O negative can be given to any patient, so those are the highest in demand.

Donation not only benefits the community, but it can benefit the donor as well. Through Neenah High School, any student is eligible to become a gallon grad once they fulfill two out of four requirements. The first option is to donate three times. The second option is to volunteer five hours. The third option is to host, but Freeders explains that this is the most difficult to do. The final option is to recruit five members. All options can be repeated, so the two fulfilled requirements is the same requirement achieved twice.

The next blood drive is in February, and donation requirements are the same. The donor must be 16 and 110 pounds and have sufficient iron levels on day of donation. Food and drinks are offered for free in the commons for donors.

Donation benefits the recipient, the community and even the donor themselves. National Honor Society encourages everyone who is eligible to donate throughout the year.

Save three lives and get a cookie all in one day.