On Oct. 10, students and staff spent the day in the auxiliary gym donating blood. As donors walked in, they were handed juice boxes and various snacks. Before the day, they were told to stay hydrated and eat a big breakfast. These instructions were all in preparation for giving a single pint of blood. A pint of blood that has the potential to save three lives.
Science teacher Dawn Fluellen led the fall blood drive with the help of numerous student volunteers. But their work began long before the actual day. Last spring RNE’s blood drive was ranked 12th nationally. The ranking, based on the units of blood each high school collects, did not satisfy Fluellen.
“If we end up in the top ten, we actually get more money for scholarships that we could give to more students who help volunteer for the blood drive,” Fluellen said.
Last year RNE qualified for a $500 scholarship. Fluellen hopes to increase the amount of money and scholarships. One of the students who helped lead the blood drive received the scholarship.
Last spring the blood drive’s goal was 48 pints. This fall it fell to 36 because the previous goal was not met. Undeterred by this fact, everyone involved worked hard to promote the fall blood drive. A month before, students began promoting the event. They walked around in bright neon vests asking people to sign up, hung flyers around the school, sent emails and announced it on the morning news show.
The team’s hard work paid off with 39 points of blood, 53 appointments and numerous walk-ins.
“I did notice this year we had a lot more students interested in donating. We didn’t have enough appointment times,” Fluellen said.
Students were interested for many reasons. Some students wanted an excuse to get out of class.
“[I did it] originally just because it got me out of class, but I realized it’s a good cause and people should consistently do it,” Kendrick Phillips, senior, said.
Others knew the impact giving blood could make. Although junior Samara Rouse was nervous about giving blood for the first time, she wanted to help the cause.
“I mainly wanted to give blood because you can save a life. What if that was your family member that, you know, needed somebody else’s blood? I feel good donating blood and helping somebody out,” Rouse said.
Because students are only allowed to give blood once they turn 16, it tends to fall on upperclassmen to donate. When sophomore Morgan Davis realized she was not old enough to donate, she volunteered instead.
“I found out I wasn’t eligible to donate and I just wanted to see how I could help out,” Davis said.
Davis helped people check in for their appointments throughout the blood drive.
“I would definitely do this again. I really enjoyed helping out. And hopefully, in the spring, we’ll be able to get even more donors,” Davis said.
While some donors were excited, others were nervous about giving blood.
“I was laughing, but it was like nervous laughter, you know? I thought I was going to die. Maybe that’s exaggerating but…” Sage Osburn, junior, said.
Although Osburn seemed conflicted about the whole ordeal, he did not hesitate to confirm he would donate again in the spring. Most students felt accomplished and were glad they donated.
“I think the blood drive is important not only because it helps save lives for those that need a blood transfusion, but it gives students the opportunity to give back in their community. I think it is a really big way that students can give back,” Fluellen said.
Even with everyone’s enthusiasm, the fall blood drive did have its challenges. The blood drive was down two nurses – one who called in sick and the other who injured herself while carrying a heavy crate. Appointments quickly backed up. Donors had to wait for long periods before they could give blood. The blood drive, originally meant to end at 2:30 p.m., stayed open until the last bell rang, concluding the school day.
“I waited for like an hour and a half, so [I rate it a] 7.5/10,” Sasha Cebula, senior, said.
Even with delayed appointments, the leaders of the blood drive learned one thing – students were more interested in becoming donors than ever before. Because of the student interest in the fall blood drive, the American Red Cross increased the number of appointments to 75 for the spring blood drive. Fluellen hopes to fill every slot.
To prepare for the spring blood drive, Fluellen will use similar tactics she used this fall. She hopes students will visit upperclassmen classes to help recruit for the blood drive. Also, she plans to advertise the event in the community.
If everything goes to plan in the spring, the school will receive more donors, save more lives and earn more money for scholarships.
No one was more enthusiastic about donating blood than the student leaders this fall.
Junior Fabiola Gutierrez-Morente has helped out with the blood drive for three years.
“I help every year because I think every single year is different. And I learn something new and it’s just very fun to help other people,” Gutierrez-Morente said.
This is Fluellens fourth year doing the blood drive. She is passionate about it and wants to continue to help out the community.
“I love that the students get excited about it and are so willing to volunteer their time. That’s what keeps me going,” Fluellen said.
