Without the help of many willing Wenatchee High School students and staff, 150 lives would be lost, according to Mitzi Southard, Health Occupations teacher and registered nurse. Donating blood may not sound thrilling to everyone, but around 80 people were more than happy to donate to the Blood Drive on May 4 and 5.

The Health Occupations program works with the American Red Cross twice a year to provide this service to WHS students. According to Southard, the program was able to collect 50 usable units, or pints, of blood. Each pint could save up to three lives. Last year’s Blood Drive was able to collect 61 pints of blood and 183 lives could be benefited from the donations. Many of the 80 people who attempted to give blood were unable to for various reasons, Southard said.

“I talked to this guy who couldn’t donate blood because he was really scared, I said not to let it get to him. So he couldn’t donate, but I told him it was okay, at least he attempted,” senior Health Occupations student Nayely Vega said. Vega helped after school with water bottles, getting information out to those who wanted to donate, and making sure students knew the requirements.

Students were notified beforehand by posters and announcements, and a booth was available to sign up during both lunches.

“We do this so that the community can be served with blood donations in the time of need, and it’s a great opportunity for students and staff to give back,” Southard said. 

For the next Blood Drive which will be held in September, the Health Occupations program encourages people to continually eat a lot of iron rich foods and drink a lot of water when donating. This brings up blood volume, which makes the person a better candidate to be able to donate blood, Southard said.

“It was majorly successful. I was involved before and after school making sure it was organized and put together well and that the students themselves were informed as well as teachers,” senior Health Occupations student Kirsten Nygard said.