For years, West High School has run student blood drives in partnership with Impact Life. Giving students the opportunity to do good and donate blood. However, this year the blood drive was a little different. Since August of 2023, a national blood shortage has been reported by The American Red Cross. And so, just like every year, West High School students took part and hosted their blood drive, running from the start of first block to the end of third on October 30th. To donate blood, students must be in good health, at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and provide a photo ID. Students that qualified and signed up for the blood drive would come in at their scheduled time. Student donors were required to answer a series of questions to ensure a safe donation and safe blood for the patient. One student in particular recalls her first donation experience from last year, looking back on how she felt afterwards.
“The first time I did it, I was feeling light-headed, and I was warm. And they told me to lay down” two-time donor junior Gabby Fix said.
While lightheadedness is a common side effect of donating, Impact life warns donors that bruising and even fainting occur, but aren’t common lasting effects., this time around, Fix felt better after giving, but as time passed she noticed that change.
“This time right after I was feeling great, and not so much later,” Fix said.
After donating, if you don’t feel well, The Red Cross recommends you to stop what you’re doing, and lay down until you feel better. To feel your best after donating, Impact Life recommends doing a few things prior to your donation. Getting eight hours of sleep and eating balanced meals.
“Even though maybe not all of the blood that we donate right now is going to get used, it’s like the sense that there are kind people in the world who are willing to donate,” Fix said.