(This is an archive story, pleaser refer to byline for journalists name)
By Kialani Siavii
The Health Occupations Students of America (also known as HOSA) and Carter BloodCare are hosting the annual Blood Drive. This event will be held on Oct.14 from 8 AM to 3 PM in the Gym.
The blood drive is based on appointed time slots which work around students’ and teachers’ schedules the day of the drive, this allows the teachers and the students to attend their classes.
“Getting students to sign up is definitely a challenge.” HOSA Treasurer Savannah Sampson said. “Many students who want to donate are too young or do not meet the requirements that you need in order to donate blood.” (Photo from HOSA Instagram)
Students 17 and older are allowed to donate without parents consent, but if you are 16-years-old you are required to have a signed parental consent form.
“Some people tend to get nervous at the sight of blood,” HOSA Secretary Shivani Jariwala said. “Honestly, kudos to them for overcoming their fear and donating despite it- but there is a chance that we will have a few passing out.”
A recommendation provided by Blood Drive Organizer and Health Science teacher Melissa Galloway is to eat a good, nutritious meal the day of the blood drive and if you are a person with low iron, eat a lot of iron-enriched foods.
On the day of the drive, the students donating blood will be escorted down to the gym by HOSA members. While at the event, they will be checked by other HOSA members, and once they are done the students will be provided with a snack and a drink then escorted back to class. If a student is not feeling well after giving blood, they will stay in the gym for observation.
When Galloway, Jariwala and Sampson were asked what the most challenging part of the event would be, they all agreed that the timing of the appointments would be the hardest.
In previous years, students have missed their scheduled time for various reasons. This year the organization will focus on punctuality so that the members and the Carter BloodCare professionals do not fall behind.
If you are interested in the HOSA organization you can contact Galloway at mgalloway@wsisd.net or in her classroom F305.