Giving blood can save a person’s life, which is why West Branch eighth graders are hosting a second blood drive. Blood drives are important from a medical standpoint but also from a personal one. “The satisfaction of knowing you helped other people is better than dollars and cents,” says Mr. Matson, the organizer for this year’s event. Last year’s drive was a success collecting 53 blood units to donate.
On October 26th at West Branch, the 8th grade will be hosting another blood drive. Mr. Matson and his 8th-grade class were granted an Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness grant by Intermediate Unit 13 out of Lancaster. The 8th-grade class was put in charge of allocating the money that was going to be used and decided that a portion of the money could go for food and drinks to the blood drive. Mr. Matson encourages that people to sign up as they hope to reach or exceed last year’s donations. Although Mr. Matson is hosting and giving at this year’s blood drive, he stated that he has a major fear of needles and even though he has that fear, he still donates due to the nationwide blood shortage. Mr. Matson also believes that giving blood is not only a healthy thing to do but there are moral values attached to it. He explains that sometimes knowing that you contributed to saving a life is a benefit of donating and recognizing the power a person has to help someone is a good thing.
Currently, the national blood supply is 25% less than it was in August, meaning the need for blood in hospitals is outpacing donations. Only three percent of eligible donors give blood a year which is the cause of the blood shortage. Students and staff are able to sign up for this year’s blood drive. Students who are 16 or younger will need a parent consent form to sign up for the blood drive. Mr. Matson has left copies of the consent form in room 129 if students need them.
