INOVA wants to suck your blood. To save lives, that is.
Every year, WS hosts a blood drive to generate donors from within the school. For tech teacher John Alukonis, this is his sixth year in charge of the drive.
“INOVA likes to come to WS because they know they will get at least 90 successful donors,” said Alukonis.
In addition to students, teachers, administrators, and even some parents show up to give their blood for those who need it. Juniors and seniors are the most frequent donators, because the minimum age is sixteen. Also, this is the first year that every student must have a parent consent form in order to give blood.
This new requirement has not held students back from contributing. Junior Carla Ceron came back for her second time, ready to save more lives.
“I would see my brother donate blood when I was younger, so I wanted to donate when I got older,” said Ceron.
After the screening process in which her finger was pricked to check iron levels and to ensure that she was healthy enough to donate, Ceron had a needle inserted into her arm and her blood was drawn. It takes one donation of blood to save three people’s lives, and Ceron was happy to do it.
“It doesn’t hurt too much and it’s not scary,” said Ceron, “it’s worth it.”
Senior Sam Amankwah was giving blood for the first time because his brother did it last year.
“It makes me feel good because I know I helped,” said Amankwah, who donated for a good cause.
This year at the blood drive, all types of students showed up to display their Spartan Pride. They were motivated to support the cause because one donation of blood can save three lives. However, giving blood is not without risks. The blood drive shut down early this year because at least five people fainted post donation after returning to class.
Even with the risks that giving blood presents, WS was well represented at the INOVA blood drive this year. The students and faculty came together to save lives.
“Other people can live and be with their families for one more day because of us,” said Ceron.