Blood drive begins Oct. 23

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Staff Illustration/ Courtesy of Coffee Memorial Blood Center

Students over the age of 16 may be eligible to donate blood at the Vein Drain Blood Drive.

Students ages 16 and older may be able to donate in the Vein Drain Blood Drive through Oct. 23 and 24.

Students under the age of 16 may not donate in the drive, however students who are 16 and at least 125 pounds may donate with a signed parent permission form. Participants age 17 and older can donate without a form but must weigh at least 110 pounds. All donations go to the Coffee Memorial Blood Center. Students who want to donate may sign up with Key Club sponsor Lance Culbert in room 1306.

“The only way we have a blood supply that is sufficient to meet the demands in our area is if people step up and donate,” Culbert said. “High school donations are a really big part of this. Generally speaking, the high school population has less health concerns that would prevent them from donating.”

Those who donate will receive a Vein Drain t-shirt and a ticket to the 6th Street Massacre Haunted House.  Donors also walk away with the knowledge their donation will be important to someone who needs it.

“It might be your mom or dad that’s in the car wreck who need blood,” Culbert said. “It may be your relative that needs blood during a medical procedure. It’s just a really good feeling to go through it.”