One of the noblest acts one can do is helping others, but the problem is, how should you help? While common ways to give back include volunteering and fundraising, Buena Vista High School took a more uncommon approach with a blood drive. The BV blood drive occurred on October 31st, with donations accepted throughout the day. While donating blood may seem weird or inconvenient, the importance of donating is there and plentiful.
The Buena Vista blood drive has been happening for quite some time now, with this year being its third and the year with the most donors — 52 students helped by donating their blood. While it may seem frightening, many BV students showed their courage to help others who might be in a variety of situations. Each donation can save three lives, and with the BV students showing up to help, 123 lives were saved with the donated blood. It becomes especially important to donate blood since more than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. Only 2% of the 38% who can donate actually do, and people who need blood are in a variety of situations — from cancer patients to trauma patients — the list goes on.
Mrs Stowe, who began and organizes the blood drives, started this school event with the noble intention to help others. “I’ve been with the blood drive since the very start; I was able to communicate with the Red Cross because my family does a blood drive, and that got us going with ours at Buena Vista,” said Mrs Stowe, who began this blood drive due to individual experiences with cancer. “Blood saved my mom’s life and gave us 12 days with my nephew that we didn’t think we were going to have, so blood is a really special thing for me.”
While donating blood at school may seem unconventional or frightening, it is a major way to help various people. While other forms of helping may seem more important or convenient, it is important to remember the value of blood and celebrate those who have donated and helped the cause.