To give is to receive

The opportunity to donate blood will be held on April 26 during the school day

Ameera Tai taiame000@hsestudents.org

On April 26, the auxiliary gym will hold a blood donation drive where students are given the opportunity to donate a pint of either whole blood or double red cells, providing blood to up to three recipients.

According to the Red Cross, an organization that helps aid in disasters and works closely with hospitals around the world, an estimated 4.5 million Americans are given blood each year, with as much as 25% of the population needing blood at some point in their lives. Donating blood supports people with a variety of conditions such as cancer, sickle cell disease, chronic diseases and trauma patients by helping supply the constant need for blood.

“I started donating blood [when I was] in my twenties,” blood drive coordinator Tammy Snyder said. “When I found out how easy it was for me to donate, I wished I had known about it sooner.”

For more information about donating blood, visit Versiti Blood Center’s website:

Snyder has partnered with Versiti blood center of Indiana to bring FHS students the opportunity to donate blood and become a lifelong donor. She believes holding a drive at the school provides a convenient time in a student’s day to give blood, while still making a difference in both the lives of the people receiving and giving the donation.

“It helps the people receiving [it] because in some cases, if they don’t have the right type of blood, it’s life or death,” Snyder said.

Donating blood is a process been drives held at school to support those in our community. Snyder recalls drives being held for children staying at Riley Hospital, the family members of teachers and students.

“We’ve had students from Fishers who’ve [been in] accidents and been hospitalized who needed blood over the years,” Snyder said. “We actually had a couple of drives in their honor.”

Not only do blood drives support other people, donating can provide benefits to the one donating as well. Senior Hardeep Singh, who gave blood during the school’s drive last spring, believes donating is fulfilling and provides him with the feeling of contribution.

“I believe it is a great way to be someone’s lifesaver,” Singh said. “Even if you don’t ever meet those who receive your majority. As few as 10% of the population donates blood annually, with nearly 40% eligible to donate, according to the Red Cross. Errichiello believes that some people may not choose to donate due to the fear of needles, passing out or discomfort.

“It is all about making sure your body is prepared,” Snyder said. “You have to eat a significant dinner and breakfast, and [also] drinking lots of water”

Snyder believes the most important part for the donor is to prepare their body, as this relieves discomfort and helps hydrate blood cells to make the blood taking easier. Additionally, Singh felt donating was easy and did not hurt, contrary to his expectations.

“People receive the help they need from those who are kind enough to donate their blood,” Errichiello said.