On average, 7,974 people die each day in the U.S. Of these deaths, 1,670 are due to cancer. 

For Kayla Gifford, junior, her motives for donating blood stem from her grandmother’s passing of cancer. 

“Donating blood provides people with opportunities to save lives and allows me to give back to other cancer patients,” Gifford said. 

Mandy Dabbs, ImpactLife account manager, has helped coordinate the NHS blood drive that took place in the small gym on Wednesday, April 12. 

She said she hopes more students become open to the idea of giving blood. Students who are 16 are able to give blood with a parent’s consent, and after 17, can give blood on their own account, according to the FDA. 

Dabbs said that statistically, older people give blood more often than the younger generations. Out of the eligible student body, only 70 signed up for the drive. 

“There’s millennials and Gen Z, we’re not doing a good job of getting out there and donating blood,” Dabbs said. 

With up to three lives being able to be saved per donation, Dabbs urges students to consider donating blood. 

“You’re helping your fellow peers, you’re helping a stranger, you’re giving somebody else another birthday,” Dabbs said. 

Lindsey Lee, senior, volunteered for the blood drive through NHS because of the national blood shortage in the U.S. She has volunteered with NHS for the past three blood drives.

“It’s just a good opportunity for anyone to get volunteer hours, but especially if you want to help things run smoothly,” she said. 

Lee helps check students and teachers in and out of the Small Gym where the blood extraction takes place. Lee recommends people donating eat salty snacks and drink lots of water beforehand. 

“It’s good for people who can’t really go out of their way to find an actual place where they’re doing drives,” Lee said. “I think a lot of people would help if they had the opportunity.”

Jacqueline Floyd, supervisor of Mental and Emotional Health, comments on the seamless process and care she has received. 

“You’re very well taken care of. You have to answer a lot of questions and they do all your tech first to make sure that you’re healthy and well.” Floyd said. “It also went pretty fast and seamless, all the people here are really great.”

She urges anyone who is eligible to donate. 

“It’s a great way to show that the community is coming together to support each other,” Floyd said.