The school's first blood drive was held on September 23, 2014, in L. A. High School’s west gym.                      

Many people believe that donating blood is important because of various reasons. Some believe it is the right thing to do, others know a family member who needs blood.

Ever wondered what happens to donated blood? Well, it undergoes a process before it arrives at the hospital. According to the Red Cross, the blood donations are scanned into a computer database. Then, it is spun in centrifuges, which separate the transfusable components from red cells, platelets, and plasma. The blood is then packed in test tubes, and sent for disease testing.  After the test results are performed, test tubes that show evidence of infections or disease are discarded and the donor is notified.  The test results are confidential and are only shared with the donor, except as may be required by law. The test tubes that came out negative for any diseases are transferred electronically to the manufacturing facility within 24 hours. Then, the packaged blood is stored. The blood is available to be shipped to hospitals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The requirements for donating blood include a donors’ proofs of age, proven through the presentation of primary forms of identification.  After age is proven, donors then must answer a couple of personal, health-related questions. The ability to donate is based on the donor height and weight. Then, donors are ready to donate blood.

According to the Red Cross, male donors who are 18 years of age or younger must weigh 110 pounds or more, depending on their height in the following chart:

 

 

If donors are

4'10"

4'11"

5' or taller

Donors must weigh at least

118

114

110

 

Female donors, 18 years of age or younger, must weigh 110 pounds or more, depending on their height in the following chart:

 

 

If donors are

4'10"

4'11"

5'

5'1"

5'2"

5'3"

5'4"

5'5"

5'6" or taller

Donors must weigh at least

146

142

138

133

129

124

120

115

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On September 23rd, although many students donated blood, some were unable to donate because of personal or medical reasons. Based on a checklist of criteria, the nurses determine whether volunteers can donate or not. This is based on answers from a standard questionnaire provided by the nurses. Aside from weight restrictions, listed above, some students were not allowed to donate blood because of other activities. For more information about the restrictions on blood donation and issues surrounding such restrictions, please visit:

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements/eligibility-criteria-topic