Junior Preston Brueckmann donates blood while on his phone for ImpactLife at Parkway North High School on Feb. 28. The process of drawing takes about 8-10 minutes but they have donors wait before going back to class to monitor them for any side effects.

According to the Red Cross, nearly 29,000 units of red blood cells, 5,000 units of platelets, and 6,500 units of plasma are needed every day.  On Feb. 28, Parkway North staff and students helped medical professionals reach their goal by donating 39 pints of blood, which saved approximately 117 lives. 

“I think donating blood is important because it helps save lives, and you never know when you’re gonna be the one who needs it. It’s also good to donate for that reason as well,” secretary Paige Nieto said. 

Blood is needed to treat patients of all kinds in an emergency, from enabling accurate diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions, to supplying necessary quantities for transfusions and transplants, the act of giving blood can go a long way. 

“I know donating blood and taking others a long way can even add some more years to their lifespan. That’s why I think it is so important,” junior Jonah Knehans said.

To give blood, a donor must be at least 110 lbs, in good health and feeling well, and either 17 to donate without guardian consent or 16 with guardian consent. 

“Donating blood is important because people need it, and without getting the blood donated to them, they might die,” senior Alexander Beck said.  

Donating blood can be difficult for some due to them having a fear of needles, hating the sight of blood, or a vasovagal reaction, a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate due to stress or anxiety causing them to pass out. Other may get bruises at the draw site due to blood pooling under the skin.

“The best part about giving blood is being extremely nervous before you donate the blood. I liked the experience, though it went smoothly and was relaxing. ” Beck said. 

The blood donated by the Parkway North High School members went to Impact Life, a blood donation center. Impact Life only has three locations: Arnold, Crestwood, and St. Peters, all in Missouri. They collaborate with student volunteers from the National Honors Society, who kept things running smoothy by signing people in, distributing snacks, and making sure donors rest before returning to their routines.

“The community and ImpactLife get a lot of advantages from having scholars donate blood, saving other lives and maybe even helping ourselves later in life,” senior Sionna Howard said. 

From car accidents to childbirth, a lot of blood is needed to save lives. Donating a pint of blood may seem small, but when many people contribute, the impact adds up.