Each semester, LT’s Student Council partners with Versiti Blood Centers to host a Blood Drive in the NC Vaughan Gym. This year’s drives are scheduled for Nov. 21 and March 13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students sit in a reclined car for one hour while hooked up to a Vacutainer System, which is a machine that collects blood. 

“Student council hosts the blood drive each year as a way for students to give back to the community, donating blood is especially important and can quite literally save lives,” Mily Patel ‘26, student council treasurer, said. 

Students must schedule their appointments in advance to minimize their loss of instructional time. They can do so by dropping by the Student Council table during lunch periods.

“With the huge blood shortage going on, our school is doing its part by trying to help with the shortage,” Patel said. 

In fact, the American Red Cross faces an emergency blood shortage after its national blood inventory plummeted more than 25% in July. This season, the blood shortage is due to the decreased number of participants willing to donate blood because of the busy travel season and flu virus circulating. In addition, COVID diswaded lots of people from being willing to donate.  

“I chose to donate blood because I know I can help save lives and benefit those around me,” Avery Jasinski, ‘24 said. “I know that I can make a difference and help people.” 

Jaskinski donated blood in 2023 and then volunteered all day for both blood drives last year. This year, she’s in college and still volunteers.

“Seeing the countless students and staff as well as community members lining up to donate is really inspiring,” Jasinski said. 

After donating, most people feel fine after donating blood. The body constantly makes new blood and the fluid given will be replaced within hours. Donating blood burns approximately 650 calories. It’s essential participants eat a full meal before donating to help feel strong afterwards, and also to drink water or juice to help the body replenish lost fluids. Every day, more than 10,000 patients rely on the generosity of blood donors to survive. This blood goes to cancer patients, burn victims, and trauma patients, according to the Versiti Blood Center of Illinois. 

“I saw first hand how beneficial it is to donate,” Jasinski said. 

All donated blood products undergo a series of tests to ensure they are safe for patients to receive and are typically available for use 24-48 hours following donation.