On October 30th the CT community came together for the 2018 Halloween blood drive. Each pint of blood can potentially save three lives.

Update: 12 December 2018

Year after year, our school is given the opportunity to donate blood, so long as they are 16+ and meet height and weight requirements. The drive is organized by our Red Cross club.

“…It just kind of goes with what we believe in, which is giving back to the community, which is also consistent with the Rotary interact, ‘service above self’,” Red Cross Youth Club sponsor, Ms. Graham said. “For every pint of blood that is donated, [we] can save up to three lives. So, for today we have 50 appointments, and I think we’ll probably get to hit about 50 or 55, but we will have saved 150 lives, just today.”

Many students gifted their time in helping by visiting the upper lecture center where the drawing was being held. “I really wanted to, like, help the people who can’t produce the blood themselves… who really need it, because, I have plenty of it in my body. So, like, why not?” said Nicole Ragsdale (11).

However, the requirements were crucial in order to donate. You have to prepare before and after to ensure your health. “I’ve just been drinking a lot of water,” Ragsdale commented, “And I had some protein this morning. They said to just have snacks after and to rehydrate yourself.”

So while registering, supervisors and runners of the event gave specific instructions to get the best of their donors. “Drink plenty of water for the week or two weeks leading up to the blood drive. You have to be free of any types of symptoms, you have to be feeling good. You can’t have the sniffles or be trying to recover from the flu or anything like that,” said Graham. “Eat a really, really, really good breakfast or lunch. Basically, be healthy, drink plenty of fluid, have plenty to eat.” All in all, the preparation provided a healthy nutrition plan that got the students pumped, and ready to.  

Graham also stressed the importance of eating afterward. “Afterward is eating also, and making sure just to continue replenishing those fluids in you because it takes a lot of blood.” She mentioned the effects the loss of blood may have on your body. “Definitely be conscious that you might feel a little faint, a little dizzy. Be sure to eat something and drink a lot afterwards.

Interested in donating and helping others? The next blood drive will be on Valentine’s day of 2019. Stay tuned in to CT’s Red Cross Youth Club for more information.