It’s that time of year again. It’s time to conquer your fear of needles and contribute to the ninth annual Minarets Blood Drive. Minarets High School has been hosting an annual blood drive since the spring of 2010.
In the beginning years, the amount of pints donated were around the 30 to 40. This was when there was less than 150 students at the school. The blood drive was gradually increasing since then, peaking in 2014 with 135 pints donated. In the years since, however, Minarets has decreased in donations.
This year's blood drive is being put on the Minarets National Honor Society and will be on April 12, 2019 from one to five o’clock. In an interview with NHS adviser Kaitlin Morgan, she revealed, “Last year we only got 41 pints so this year we set a goal of 50 pints. But we're hoping that we can surpass this goal and eventually get back to where we were in 2014." This would not be difficult since Minarets is the biggest in terms of student body than it has ever been.
Many people fear donating blood because of the sight of blood or the needle, but the professionals from the Central Valley Blood Center are able to help people through their fears. Remember, a single pint of blood can help save as many as three lives.
Everyone is welcome to come and donate, whether you are a Minarets student, parent, grandparent, family, friend, or community member; it's open to the whole community. Anyone who is over the age of sixteen, over 110 pounds, and do not have influenza type symptoms the day of donation are eligible to donate. Students under eighteen must have a parent consent form in order to donate and these forms are available in the office or from Miss Morgan’s room. Be sure to return this forms to the office or Miss Morgan, who can then schedule your donation time. If you are over 18, come see Miss Morgan to schedule your donation time.
Life is very unpredictable. More than 75% of all Americans reaching age 72 will need blood in their lifetimes. 97% will have a loved on or friend who will need life-saving blood. You can be the difference. Come out and support the Minarets Blood Drive on April 12.