Blood Drive Yields Scholarship Money, Practice for Pre Med Students
\r\n

\tA total of 47 people donated 51 units of blood when Alliance High hosted its annual blood drive.

\r\n

That may not sound like much, but each unit of blood can be separated into three different components, making the 51 units capable of saving 153 lives.

\r\n

Coordinating the event for the second year, Premedical Professions teacher, Kimberly Woodruff said the blood drive not only helps save lives but yields scholarship money for both the Pre Med program and the English Department.

\r\n

“The ability to save someone’s life by just taking an hour out of your day is great,” she said.

\r\n

This year, the drive was conducted by Vitalant, a non-profit that provides blood services to local hospitals. The switch from Red Cross to Vitalant, formerly LifeShare, was made with better customer service options in mind.

\r\n

Things with the company went smoothly this year, according to Woodruff, because sign ups were spread more evenly throughout the day and things started and ended on time.

\r\n

Collections mirrored past years pretty closely with the 51 units collected.

\r\n

“It’s been a pretty good experience,” said Vanitra Jenkins, a supervisor with Vitalant in Canton. “After we set up, it goes pretty smoothly.”

\r\n

\t By helping with the event, Pre Med students get the opportunity to put what they learn in class into practice. They learn to look for the signs of fainting, plus the importance of hydration and nutrition when donating blood, according to Woodruff.

\r\n

“I didn’t know that much blood could come out of me,” said one student, Bridgette McCullough. “Plus it was fun and interesting.”

\r\n

“It’s rewarding saving lives,” said Alicia Magda, a volunteer.