Bengals Keep Tradition Flowing with Blood Drive

The first day of thing meant one thing for students: time to donate blood. For the past several years, the Oak Forest senior student council has organized a blood drive that turns into an all-day affair of donating and recovering. 

This year was no different as students lined up, filled out their medical forms and underwent a quick medical exam before taking their place on a bed to donate. From seniors on down, students came and went from the gym where Heartland Blood Center and student council members set up to give a bit of themselves back to the community.

“It feels awesome [to donate],” said Ashley Wiginton, senior class president. “Especially now,when the older generation thinks that we're not involved or that we don't do enough to help out. It's nice to actually see kids know it's for a good cause and they actually want to help out.”

There were two different ways students could donate blood during the drive, the first being through donation of normal blood. This is the conventional type of blood donation, a Heartland representative said. The blood is drawn from the patient and then sent to a lab, where the double red cells are removed and then used in various medical procedures.

Few students qualified for a lesser-known type of donation, called direct double red cell. Donors are held to stricter guidelines, because the double cells can be used in medical procedures almost as soon as they are removed from the donor. Josh Napoli was one of only a few students able to participate.

“I do it just to help people when they need it most,” Napoli said. “It's just really inspiring that all the kids at Oak Forest want to come out and help, it's really a great tribute to them.”

Teacher and student council adviser Amy Bertrand said she wasn't surprised by the students' outpouring of support.

“I'm very proud of them, it seems as though they really want to be a part of the community and help the community,” Bertamd said. “They really just want to help.”