On Tuesday, November 12th, Saint Joseph High School will be holding the annual blood drive in the Black Box Theater. Students 16 years old and up are eligible to donate blood and all donating students will be required to fill out a waiver with their parents signature. Sign-ups for the blood drive will take place Monday, October 28- November 11 in the lunchroom at all lunches. You will be donating 1 pint of blood out of the 10-15 pints in your body.
Why should you donate blood? Only 38% of the US population is eligible to donate. We can’t buy it!!—blood used for human transfusion can ONLY be obtained through volunteer donation. In fact, one unit of blood can save three lives.

Our community needs 700 whole blood donations a week to maintain an adequate supply. One out of four people will need blood product in their lifetime. Blood products have a limited shelf life. Red blood cells can be stored for up to 42 days, and platelets for just 5 days. This means the blood supply must be constantly replenished to meet ongoing demand.

People often wonder if donating is painful.  You may feel a small sting from the needle when it’s inserted but its equivalent to a small pinch on the inside of you elbow. Donors must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and it must be at least 56 days after your last whole blood donation. You also must feel well with no fever, and the medical staff will review the medications you take.

Giving blood is a selfless act of kindness.  You will not know the recipient, but nonetheless can save a life.