Westside High School and the American Red Cross held their semiannual Blood Drive on Friday, October 3rd, with help from the Medical Club.
The first blood drive at the high school was held onDecember 4th, 1990, and has since become a tradition. Current students and teachers came in for the drive, bringing in a total of 52 units of blood to be donated.
Many students at the drive stopped to chat with others before beginning the donation process, whether attending together or bonding over their first experience donating blood.
The Medical Club is sponsored by Westside chemistry and biology teacher, Melanie Essink said. She has been running the drives since she took up the responsibility of Medical Club Head in 2017.
“Westside’s blood drives really do bring the community together. While most of our donors are students, we have former students, parents, and other community members come to our school to donate,” Essink said. “Many lifelong donors donate for the first time in high school, and we hope that some of these donors will come back to donate again in the spring and even after they graduate.”
A total of 33 donors at the drive were donating for the first time, including Junior Whitney Ingvoldstad.
“I thought it was really fun, honestly. The people working there were super nice and professional, so it was easy,” Ingvoldstad said.
While the experience of giving blood may sound intimidating to some, the process is relatively simple.
“The experience is usually quick, easy, and rewarding. You will begin by checking in, then answering a few questions and receiving a health screening to make sure it’s safe for you to donate. The actual donation takes about 8–10 minutes. You’ll give roughly one pint, which your body replaces quickly. Afterwards, there is an area to rest and enjoy a snack and drink,” Essink said.
There are many reasons to care about donating blood. According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the United States requires a blood transfusion. Statistics like this highlight the ongoing need for blood donors and the importance of contributing to these life-saving efforts.
“An hour of your life can literally give life to someone else. You can donate whole blood every 56 days, which is a testament to how quickly your body recovers and how sustainable this act of generosity can be. Each donation can help save up to three lives… such as those undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, or recovering from serious injuries,” Essink said.
The next blood drive is scheduled for Spring 2026, and all donors—new and returning—are encouraged to participate.
