The quarterly Summer Creek Blood Drive was a huge success with 160 students and teachers participating. In the past, an average of only 30 people have donated. This year’s amount of 120 units of blood will roughly save 360 lives.

“Who knew such a simple task could have such an impact,” senior Gildardo Meza said after donating.

The blood drive was organized through HOSA, which stands for Health Occupations Students of America. Each year two HOSA students are selected to become blood drive coordinators. These coordinators manage sign-ups and lead on the day of the blood drive.

Yuritza Salinas, one of the blood drive coordinators, said, “Helping organize the blood drives is important to me because it allows me to give back to my community and encourage my peers to donate to save lives.” 

There were 12 additional HOSA student volunteers, as well as the health science teachers. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center partnered with Summer Creek to hold this blood drive. They are also the ones who are responsible for taking the blood. The blood that was donated gets tested and then gets distributed to patients in need. There are four blood drives throughout the year: two in the fall semester and two in the spring semester. You must be at least 16 years of age to donate blood. If you are 18 or over you do not need parental consent to donate. Students signed up during lunch and the volunteers then pulled the donors out of their class the day of their donation. All donors were told to have a healthy breakfast and hydrate before they donated.