The organization of the blood drive began in spring of 2024 and was a collaboration between the CHS Sports Med club and their advisor Mr. Betz and the American Red Cross.
Every November, Cascade High School participates in what has become an annual tradition: a blood drive. This year’s event was held in the CHS wrestling room on Tuesday November 6th from 9 am to 2 pm. Donators had to be sixteen years or older and those who were underage were required to have a signed parental constant form. Donation requirements, set by the American Red Cross, included meeting a certain height and weight requirement and information if donators had traveled out of country recently, in case of any possibly sickness. The organization of the blood drive began in spring of 2024 and was a collaboration between the CHS Sports Med club and their advisor Mr. Betz and the American Red Cross.
“We kind of had it planned even since last spring, the date anyway. We don't need too much until a month beforehand when we start recruiting. Once we start recruiting, we have students in the Sports Med club sitting at a table recruiting people. Along with passing out flyers gathering permission forms. Three to four days before, we start prepping stuff like tables and chairs, things that we need,” said Betz.
The day before the event, the Sports Med club handed out water bottles with Kodiak donor's assigned time slot and community members were sent emails by the Red Cross reminding them of their time slot. The schedule for donors prevented the room from getting crowded and kept everything structured.
The day of the blood drive, Sports Med students set up in the wrestling room. Blood drive signs and posters directing donors to the wrestling room were hung in the hallways and the athletic entrance.
As donors entered the wrestling room, they were greeted by Mackenzie Shepard (12), president of the Sports Med club. Shepard helped donors get signed in and fill out information forms before donating.
The process to donate blood included five student-run stations: signing in, waiting area, taking donors blood pressure, donating blood, and the aftercare station. The aftercare station was run by Resse Houghton (9) and Zoie Burpee (10): they offered cookies, water, and other goodies for donors while they were donating and after. The cookies, classic chocolate chip and oatmeal, were provided by Mr. Haberberger’s second and third period culinary classes.
The blood drive helps not only recipients of the blood and local hospitals, but also students. Students learned details of the blood donation process and were involved for the entirety of the organization process.
In addition to Kodiak students and staff, the blood drive also gives the community an opportunity to help others; approximately twenty community members volunteered, and thirty-two percent of donors were first-time participants. The club exceeded their donation goal of thirty units and ended the event with a collection of forty0two units of blood for donation.
Donar Gretchen Leach (11) explains how her experience went: “I sort of thought donating blood would be fun, it was a good experience. I was proud to donate blood, I was a little tired and lightheaded after. I had to drink water and eat some sugar then, after, I was feeling fine.”
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