by LOGAN REVEIL
There is a saying in journalism that says “If it bleeds, it leads.” But last Friday I found new meaning in this phrase. While arms were sterilized and foam balls were squeezed, 32 students gave their blood for the annual Blood Bank of Alaska, blood drive.
As put in their mission statement: “Blood Bank of Alaska and its donors are dedicated to serving the Alaskan community by providing high quality blood products and related laboratory services while meeting changing healthcare needs.”
Any healthy person who is 16 years or older and is more than 113 pounds can donate blood.
The blood that is donated by students is used for blood transfusions. “The blood that is given is used for things like cancer treatments, or after a heart attack, or a car crash,” said School Nurse Sharon Gorman.
But is giving blood safe?
“There’s no risk of infection.” said Nurse Sharon. While some people do faint after losing so much blood, this is extremely unlikely, and only a minor concern when compared to the lives that you could save.
According to the American Red Cross, more than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. And even though an estimated 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, less than 10% actually do each year. Blood Bank of Alaska statistics say that 25% of Alaska’s blood supply is obtained from high school blood drives.