Key Club hosts Blood Drive at the high school
February 22, 2019
Key Club sponsored a blood drive on Feb. 22 at Pattonville High School and many students and staff members signed up to donate.The American Red Cross ran the event, but student volunteers helped organize it.Students were encouraged to sign up all week to donate because one pint of blood can save up to three lives.
Senior Madison Brown was working the registration table when students walked into the Low Ceiling Room.
“I think everyone should donate blood if they can because it saves lives,” Brown said. “It’s a great way to help the community.”
Before a needle went into their arm, donors had to answer questions from a nurse to see if they qualified to donate blood. If they passed, they were moved to a bed to get their blood taken.
Junior Terrell Sanderson is a linebacker for the football team and donated blood during the drive.
“Man, that needle was big, but after that, it was fine,” he said. “I’m glad I can help the Red Cross.”
Donors were served snacks and drinks after they were finished donating blood.
The Red Cross will take the bags of blood they collected and do a dozen tests on it to establish the blood type and test for infectious diseases. They could also separate the blood by plasma, platelets, and red blood cells so each part can be given to one person.
Every year the Red Cross helps millions of people and they hold two blood drives annually at Pattonville High School. The National Honor Society holds a drive in the fall and Key Club hosts the one in the spring.