Red Cross Blood Drive exceeds expectations

    Northwood students were given the opportunity to donate blood during the Red Cross Club’s annual blood drive on March 2. Blood donors qualified to enter a drawing to win Disneyland annual passes.  

    The Red Cross bus arrived on campus early Tuesday morning and stayed until 2 p.m. to provide the Northwood community a chance to donate their blood throughout the day. Participants in the blood drive included both first-time and returning donors.

    Though many first-time donors had initial reservations concerning the blood drive,  they were able to overcome their fear and feel a sense of accomplishment after donating. Realizing that many people would benefit from the donated blood, students enjoyed donating and aiding people in need. Each participant donated approximately a pint of blood, which can help save about three lives.   

    “I feel inspired because I got to help people,” said junior Zack Sharpe after he had just donated his blood. 

    Participants in the blood drive had to meet certain requirements in order to donate. Donors had to be at least 16 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds, depending on their height. 

    Northwood’s Red Cross club organized the event and scheduled the many juniors, seniors and staff who signed up to donate. According to blood drive commissioner Angela Strong, the blood drive was “successful,” as the blood drive bus was constantly full with students anxious to help donate. Northwood had at least 80 blood donors, 20 more than the expected number. 

    Unfortunately, not all participants were able to donate, one prominent reason being that potential doners’ low blood-iron levels and high pulse rates disqualified them from participating in the event. 

    “I’m going to try again next year because I want my chance to make a difference,” said junior Brianne Iversen.