The community service class hosted the annual fall blood drive in the small gym during Ac-Lab on Monday, Sept. 9, where they collected 47 units of blood.

Each unit of blood was intended to help three people, leading to a total of 141 helped by the drive, according to community service teacher Alex Nelle. 

“Our goal is to help our community and then from there, anywhere else that’s needed,” Nelle said.

While the collected blood was mainly sent to local hospitals, such as Mercy or St. Luke, it can be sent to facilities outside the community if nearby locations have no immediate need, Nelle said. 

A.J. Hirang, senior, said the drive is especially important now due to an increasing shortage of donated blood in recent years. He said introducing blood drives to teenagers will encourage them to donate blood in the future as well. Organizations that have suffered from this decline include the American Red Cross, which declared its blood shortage a national emergency in January 2024 due to a 40% decrease in donations in the past 20 years.

“The problem is that less and less generations are giving blood,” Hirang said. “We just need to up [the amount] a little more.”

Hirang also donated blood.

Emma DiSalvo, senior, is another student in the community service class. She said they want to make sure everyone has access to blood for their medical care.

“Blood is vital for treating many medical conditions, especially traumas,” DiSalvo said. “Without it, people wouldn’t be able to have surgeries or be saved.”

Another blood drive will take place in spring. Students require parental consent before signing up to donate.