Cascade High School will be hosting its annual Red Cross blood drive next week. CHS Leadership students, members of the Sports Medicine Club, and advisors collaborated with Red Cross volunteers in order to put on the blood drive. The blood drive will be held in the CHS wrestling room on Monday, May 1st during school hours. Sports Medicine member and Leadership student, Grace Redman (10) was in charge of organizing this event and set a lofty goal of over 47 donators. As of Thursday, April 27, Grace has surpassed her goal. “There are over 50 people signed up to donate,” said Mr. Betz, Sports Med Club advisor.
"I know kind of what the [safety] requirements for giving blood are and I know kind of some of the background on what it does, impact-wise,” said Betz, who continued, “and just giving blood in the past helps too."
Sports Medicine advisor, Mr. Betz, and Leadership teacher, Ms. Robison, worked alongside JayAnn Chacon, an organizer for the Red Cross, to orchestrate the well-planned event at Cascade High School. Chacon and the Red Cross have “partnered with the school for many years. It helps students to engage with their community, knowing the importance of what it means to donate blood and volunteering.”
ASB students, Breanna Loomis (11) and Grace Redman, were in charge of managing the sign-up table in front of the CHS cafeteria during lunch and flex periods. “I coordinated with our two advisors, Ms. Robison and Mr. Betz. I got it so we can meet with the Red Cross representative, and so we can get everything to set it up to help it run this year,” said Redman. Both students wanted as many of their classmates as possible to participate in the blood drive. Loomis is even planning to donate herself. “I [donated] last year and I kind of want to do something to help the community,” said Loomis, who continued, “Grace mostly planned it, but I was helping her whenever she would need me to help with the name tags for the passes,” that students will receive when it is time for them to donate blood.
Sports Medicine and Leadership volunteers will oversee the blood drive while it is happening to assure that donors are safe and taken care of afterwards. Donors are rewarded with bottled water and treats to prevent feeling dizzy or fainting. However, Red Cross volunteers will also be present and there will be a very small chance of anyone feeling unwell. The Red Cross’s top priority is for donors to be informed and keep them safe through the process.
“My mom has always [donated] so I’ve always wanted to do it,” said returning donor, Zienna Erickson (12).
Students who are under eighteen years of age were required to have a parent permission slip signed to make sure that there are no health problems that could endanger them while donating blood. “My mom has always [donated] so I’ve always wanted to do it,” said returning donor, Zienna Erickson (12). CHS staff were also willing to participate in the blood drive this year, including one of the organizers, Mr. Betz, who is the Sports Medicine and Health teacher at CHS. “I know kind of what the [safety] requirements for giving blood are and I know kind of some of the background on what it does, impact-wise,” said Betz, who continued, “and just giving blood in the past helps too.”
The blood drive held at Cascade High School this year will be a huge success. It is important for students to understand what donating blood means for the community and how they can help make an impact. CHS students are well prepared to take part in their community and contribute to making the world a better place by participating in this event.
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