On Wednesday, October 22, teachers, students, and community members gathered at Centennial’s staff lounge to donate blood for the school’s Red Cross Blood Drive.

The event was coordinated by Centennial’s own Red Cross club, with Spanish teacher Myriam Comito as club sponsor and co-president seniors Divya Joon and Diya Bollam at the lead. 

A few days before the drive, the community — whether they were part of Centennial’s staff, a student, or a member of the local public – had the opportunity to register for appointments between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm.  

In total, 41 people signed up, filling almost all of the available slots. 

After donors checked in, there was a crucial step prior to making a donation: the Red Cross medical professionals must first make several tests to confirm donors are both eligible and to ensure their safety throughout the process.

Donors must be 16 years of age or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Their blood would then be tested for iron, hemoglobin, and blood type, which helps to determine whether it is safe for their own body to make the donation.

Leinani David, a student who registered for the blood drive, got deferred, but was grateful for the Red Cross’ attention to her safety. 

“It was a very sterile environment,” David observed. She later added, “The doctors were very professional but not intimidating.”

After donors make their donation, there is a waiting period during which they rehydrate and eat snacks to prevent a poor reaction from having their blood drawn. 

The entire process was estimated to take between 25 and 30 minutes. “It is the easiest way for me to donate,” said Ms. Amy Seker, one of the Centennial teachers who donated. “I have little kids, so it’s hard to find time otherwise.”

Florence Eddins, a community member, has been donating blood for years. Despite having a past of being scared of needles and a far from smooth first experience donating, Eddins never hesitated in her commitment. October 22 was her first time doing the drive at Centennial. 

“This was wonderful,” she said, shortly after making her donation. “No wait at all.”

Co-presidents Joon and Bollam shared a startling statistic, emphasizing that “One blood sample saves three lives and helps a baby.” 

In the end, the blood drive was able to collect 28 units, which is equivalent to saving 84 lives.

According to Bollam, how the blood samples are used varies depending on the needs of the patient. For instance, if a patient had sickle cell disease, a donor’s healthy red blood cells could be used to treat them. Likewise, if someone had a plasma deficiency, the plasma of a donor could be extracted.

Another illness where blood transfusion may be essential for treatment is cancer. Holding the event in memory of former Burleigh Manor Middle School health teacher Brittany Smith, who passed away from blood cancer, served as a reminder of the real human impact a single donation can have.

“Burleigh did try to hold a blood drive before, but it had poor attendance,” Comito reported. “We decided to help last year in order to have a better outcome.”

That dedication continues into this year. Comito revealed: “The club is hoping to hold another blood drive in the spring to try to match or beat last year’s numbers.”

For those who may be newly eligible to donate in the spring or would like to in the future, participating in the spring blood drive could be a great opportunity to experience the donating process in a comfortable environment. 

If anyone wants to donate but is not eligible, there are still ways to make an impact. They could volunteer at the Red Cross or join Centennial’s club, who meet bi-weekly on Fridays in the media center, where they complete training and tasks such as writing letters to the military and creating kits for disaster areas. 

It is common for donors to be nervous about donating blood. Bollam offered these words of advice to anyone who might be hesitant: “Just think about the impact you’re making.”

In future drives, the same incentive applies. With the dedication of a quick 30 minutes and one blood sample, donors have the opportunity to help three different people.

Joon sums it up perfectly, noting, “It’s really powerful — to be able to save someone’s life.”