On Sept. 26, 2023, the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) partnered with Carter BloodCare to organize a blood drive in the LGI room at Rock Hill High School. This semester these programs have invited students and staff to donate a pint of blood on Feb. 15.
The Carter BloodCare organization receives 25% of their annual donations from students. There are certain guidelines that must be followed in order for students and staff to donate their blood:
- The donor must be 16 years of age or older. Individuals aged 17 and above are permitted to donate freely, whereas 16-year-olds require a signed consent form from a parent or guardian.
- The donor must weigh at least 110 pounds.
- The donor must be in good health.
“It’s just a good place where a lot of people like to help out and sign up to save lives,” health science teacher and HOSA advisor Bailey Cole said. “Students who are seniors who donate twice get a cord for graduation, and teachers or parents can give on a students behalf in order to help them get the cord if they are unable to donate.”
Along with saving many lives, our area is in extreme shortage of blood. The Carter BloodCare company provides all of the required essentials in order to fight this shortage with the help of our students.
“The reason we do it with Carter is because they make it super easy to partner with them. They bring all of their supplies, and we provide volunteers; we also provide a space to do it,” Cole said. “I organize the donors and the appointment times and permission slips. They come in and bring in all of their phlebotomists and all their equipment.”
Many HOSA students have volunteered this year to help impact our community by making sure donors are safe and taken care of after they have donated blood.
“I’ve been wanting to work in the medical field in the future and it gives me an insight to work in different healthcare jobs,” senior student on HOSA Kayleigh Custodio said. “Donating blood might seem insignificant, but it actually is a necessity in all hospitals for people that need blood.”
Given the extended donation timeframe, both students and staff have the opportunity to contribute, ensuring that everyone can participate in giving.
“If I were to give some advice, I would make sure to eat a nice big breakfast, make sure you are staying hydrated and then most of all just don’t be nervous,” senior Geraldine Ramos said. “The process is pretty fast and they do a very good job taking care of people.”
For any senior students, teachers, or parents did not get a chance to donate during the Spring or Fall dates, then they can go to any Carter BloodCare location and donate twice.
“There’s one in Mckinney that’s even open on the weekends that they can even donate at including seniors and that counts for their blood cord, so if they want to go outside of school and donate twice at the Mckinney location and they send me their donor card, they can get a cord for graduation,” Cole said. “It’s super dire that people donate.”