Student Council recently held a blood drive for students and staff to donate blood in the student parking lot on September 9.

In order to give blood, one must be at least 16 years old, weigh 110 lbs or be in good health. Donors under the age of 17 must have parental consent, and all donors need to eat a good meal with 16 ounces of water before donating.

Students have different reasons for donating blood.

“We like to give back to our community,” junior Jouse Garay said.

Student Council, who organizes the blood drives, invites Carter Bloodcare to the campus because not all students have the opportunity outside of school to donate blood.

“The students at the school are able to donate in case they don’t have time,” senior Elaine Heng said, “which is good because I know a lot of people have been getting calls during the summer to actually go back to donate.”

Student Council has benefited from blood drives and earned a reward the last two years due to having nearly 500 students give blood.

“We get grant money called the Carter Bloodcare grant for $2,500,” Heng said. “We need at least 400 students to give blood and we have Carter come 4 times throughout the year.”

Blood transfusions save lives and are needed in the medical field when situations present themselves. Sometimes those cases are close to home, as is the case with sophomore Emily Kizziars’ mother.

“She didn’t have enough blood,” Kizziar said, “so it feels like when I see other people giving blood I’m like, ya know, potentially that’s someone that saves another person’s life because that’s what saved my mom’s life.”