Senior Run Blood Drive
Sign me up for an easy way to save 3 lives. No I am not giving out money. I am donating blood.
What is a better way to help other people than give something that is an integral part of every human.
On Thursday March 7, Grace Prep’s National Honor Society held their second annual blood drive, saving 129 lives through the generous donations of 43 students, parents, and faculty. This large number was more than expected by organizer Senior Morgan Reynolds, NHS member.
“We were overwhelmed by the amount of people who showed up, so much so, we did not have facilities or staff to accommodate them all,” said Reynolds. “It was a frustrating problem, but the best one we could have, no doubt.”
Reynolds masterminded the entire operation alongside Carter Blood Care and the assistance of some National Honor Society members. This group transformed our gymnasium into a blood donation lounge, complete with relaxing classical music and snacks for those who donated.
“Morgan was amazing,” says second-grade teacher Barbara Curreri. “All of the volunteers were (sic) amazing. She [Morgan] was there tirelessly.”
One of the many students to donate was Junior Naamah McGee. She was donating solely to help other people.
She says, “I was expecting nothing in return. [I am looking for] the joy factor.”
Sometimes, people’s joy comes from something much more specific.
Media and journalism teacher Stephanie Hall says, “I really was compelled to [donate blood] this time because my brother’s been in the hospital and had to receive quite a bit of blood over the past couple of weeks. [Since] he’s getting blood, I thought it was the right thing to do.”
What an amazing gift for a brother.
Personal reasons for donating seem to be common.. Second-grade teacher Barbara Curreri was a recipient of blood donation and knows how vital to life it can be.
“When I was giving birth, I had a complication and needed a unit of blood,” Mrs. Curreri said. “ It saved my life.”
Now she donates regularly, often giving over 3 times a year. She thinks of it more as a regular health checkup where she can meanwhile save others’ lives: A win-win.
Although only those 16 and older can donate, those who were too young were eager to bring in their parents also came, and some of them volunteered to help with the legwork.
“I’d say really giving blood isn’t about you,” said media teacher Stephanie Hall. “Yeah, sometimes it can be scary. But at the end of the day, it’s about caring. What it really comes down to is the reality that your comfort is not as valuable as somebody else’s life.”
