National Honor Society (NHS) and Medical Society are hosting a blood drive in partnership with the Stanford Blood Center on campus at the library this Friday, Oct. 20, NHS vice president Ashton Chen said. The clubs have been working in partnership with the Stanford Blood Center since 2008, he said.
Last year, there were 60 walk-ins at the blood drive and 152 lives were saved, Medical Society vice president Gianna Le said.
“We highly encourage as many people as possible to donate at this upcoming drive because their actions have a genuine impact that saves the lives of hundreds,” Chen said. “The blood collected at this drive goes to surgery, trauma, leukemia treatment, transplants, and even research.”
There are some inconveniences with donating blood, such as having a needle in your arm or spending extra time recuperating, but most people donating don’t see it as an issue when compared to the good they are doing, Chen said.
“I think it’s a good thing just helping out someone by donating blood,” said junior Neal Teoh, who signed up to donate blood. “I have no idea who will get my blood, but if I can help someone, I’d like to.”
The event organizers prefer that students planning on donating blood make appointments ahead of time so they can avoid long wait lines. but walk-ins are allowed as well, Chen said.
Students who donate will earn a “$10 gift card that can be used at Target, Chipotle, Starbucks, Nike, and more stores,” NHS secretary Vasista Ramachandruni said. “You also get free snacks after you donate to help with the recuperation process.”
Students will also miss one period of class to donate blood as long as they have teacher approval, Ramachandruni said.
Everyone who is 16 years and older is allowed to donate at the blood drive, but 16-year-olds must fill out an additional parental consent form, Chen said. Students can either go to an NHS meeting or just ask members of NHS or Medical Society for the form, he said.
In order to donate blood, “for males that are 5 feet or taller, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, Chen said. “For females, 5 feet tall, they must weigh 133 pounds. As the height goes up, the weight requirements go down,” he said.
There are many volunteer opportunities available at the blood drive, Chen said. There will be professionally trained Stanford volunteers and student volunteers to help run the drive, he added.