NC’s annual blood drive has been taking place for over twenty years and has blossomed into the largest high school blood drive in Indiana.
The size and impact of NC’s blood drive surpasses other area high schools’ donation amounts.
“Comparatively, Carmel has a two day blood drive and they don’t even get near [our blood donation levels]. It stays local so it has a very big impact on the community,” Senior Class President Bell Pastore said.
However, it is not easy to coordinate such a large operation and outside assistance is necessary.
“We work with a company called Versiti, who bring the equipment and staff, who are professionally trained and come from all over the state to help work the blood drive,” Pastore said.
Pastore notes where the blood donations go and what parts of the donated blood are used.
“All of the blood stays in the Indianapolis area and gets distributed to hospitals and all different kinds of patients. We use all of the main parts of the blood, including the red and white blood cells, as well as the plasma,” Pastore said.
Ensuring no blood goes to waste allows hospitals to help as many people as possible. When considering the scale of NC’s blood drive, the number of needy patients who receive the blood they need is sizeable.
“Last year we had 760 registered donors and collected 425 units of blood,” Pastore said.
In order to donate blood, prospective donors have to meet a few requirements.
“You have to be 16 years of age, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health. If we do find drugs in people’s bodies, they will not get in trouble, but the blood will be thrown out,” Pastore said. “But everyone should still donate, as it will help either way.”
Pastore hopes reach a donor goal the NC blood drive has never accomplished.
“This year we are trying to get 1,000 registered donors, which we’ve never gotten before, but we really want to outdo ourselves,” Pastore said.
The blood drive takes place on February 14. If interested in becoming a donor, sign up during lunch periods by tomorrow, January 31.
