Blood Drive

Whitnall High School’s Annual Spring Blood Drive is Back

Kelly Swatek

March 12, 2012

On March 13th, 2012 the Whitnall Student Senate has organized a blood drive in the high school’s old gym to give each student the chance to save three lives by donating blood.

Whitnall High School has pulled together the biggest turn out Wisconsin has seen this year. Whitnall is currently nearing 200 donors with hope for plenty more. The vast majority of donors are a mixture of juniors and seniors with some sophomores. For each student donating, they receive the satisfaction of knowing that they saved three peoples lives by donating blood. A major goal of hosting this blood drive is to give students the chance to experience the power of giving.

While the process may be lengthy, Whitnall finds it important for kids to give back to the community. Whitnall contacts the Blood Center of Wisconsin to come in for the blood drive, and through this blood center, it is assured that all of the blood goes out locally. The Senate members have to volunteer their time and work to keep things in motion. Student Senate member Stephanie Voelkel states that, “although a lot of planning goes into it, we always have a good turn out of people willing to donate and help out the community.” The planning generally takes about two and a half months. Once the day of the blood drive comes around Student Senate members have to locate all of the donors lockers and post their pass and time of donating.

For additional allurement, Whitnall comes up with a theme for each blood drive. This year’s theme is Spongebob Square-Pants. Treasurer Erica Lehmann stated that, “We picked Spongebob as the theme because it is something everyone is familiar with or has seen before and coming up with quotes and decorations was very easy.” The Whitnall Student Senate gathers and votes on different themes that they think will go over well with the students donating. Unfortunately, there are students who are unable to donate. Among many reasons, if a student does not meet the weight or age requirements they will be unable to donate. Also, having insufficient amounts of iron would disqualify a person from being able to donate.

The blood drive is slightly modified with more organization and a more productive environment each year. Student Senate President Colleen Jaskulski stated that, “each year we try to make the blood drives more efficient by limiting the amount of kids standing around and call them down five minutes apart.” Students are enthused and inspired with the idea that they can save three people’s lives just by donating a portion of blood. Whitnall High School has reached its goal of putting on a successful blood drive for the school and giving back to the community.