On March 6th, 2019, Mt. Hebron’s SGA hosted its annual blood drive for students and staff from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm in the gym. There were 65 slots available and 62 were filled, with a total of 37 pints of blood donated.

The blood is donated to the Red Cross, an organization dedicated to providing emergency assistance, disaster relief, and blood donations. To participate, you have to be at least 16 years old, with parental consent. The forms and any questions about the blood drive can be obtained from the sponsor of SGA, Mrs. Katherine Engelstatter.

“Overall, the blood drive was a huge success. I’m impressed with the student and staff turn-out and so very proud of our Hebron Vikings for supporting such an important cause! This overwhelming support fuels SGA to continue providing community service opportunities for our staff and students,” said Mrs. Engelstatter.

Donating blood requires that the person donating should have a good meal, sleep at least eight hours the night before, and should be feeling well the day of. Participants must also weigh at least 110 pounds, have not donated blood 56 days before, and have not recently traveled overseas.

On the day of the blood drive, participants should drink water throughout the day, and an extra glass 30 minutes before they donate and wear clothes that allow them to roll up their sleeves easily.

There are opportunities for students to participate as both donors or volunteers; if you volunteer you can get volunteer hours.
“My experience was really satisfying, as I got to help the nurses out with aiding donors and ran the food table during the drive. I think I would do it again as I enjoyed getting to help out, but I would probably do it for more time. It is nice to know you are helping your community,” said junior, Manasi Prashant, who volunteered rather than donating.

After donating, participants were given food and told they should drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and try to relax for the rest of the day.

“My experience was really good, I was really scared, but the Red Cross workers were really nice and always asked if I was okay the whole way through. I would do it again because it’s for a good cause and it didn’t hurt me at all as I thought it would,” said sophomore donator,  Tara Kim.

All of the blood taken at Mt. Hebron is donated to the Red Cross where it will be able to help those in need of it. Mt. Hebron looks forward to next year’s blood drive and hopes to help many more people.