Whether it is the neighbor down the street or someone halfway across the world, someone is counting on their community to keep blood readily alive due to a number of reasons. Donating blood is one of the only ways that blood centers can keep all types of blood readily available. If humans were to stop donating blood altogether it would have a huge negative impact on healthcare worldwide.

On Wednesday, March 29, the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center came to the school to host a blood donation day for students who qualified to donate. Many students took this opportunity to make an impact in a big way.

“We are very grateful that the students are here and willing to help,” Gulf Coast staff member Teresa Bos said. “It takes donors to make it all happen.”

The students that donated wanted to take the opportunity to make an effect on someone else’s life for the better.

“I donated today because there are people who depend on it to live,” senior Samuel Griffin said. “Those who need blood are at a huge disadvantage when their type of blood is not readily available.”

When one donates blood, it can save multiple lives, which is quite impressive considering it only takes up to an hour.

“Whenever you donate blood, it can save up to three lives,” senior Breean Theiss said. “Just a few minutes out of the day can make a big difference for someone else’s life.”

Using the resources that we have today, even high school students can make differences in their community.

“It is important that we use all of the resources that we have to give back to the community,” junior Mia Arrington said. “The blood donated today can go to anybody.”

Many professionals have tried to find a way to save lives along with donation, but attempts were unsuccessful.

“Donating is about the only thing you can do that will take an hour or less of your time where you can save up to three lives,” Bos said. “We have tried for many years to create a synthetic type of blood and we just cannot quite get what we need.”

A blood donation day can help bring a community together.

“It is a good way to get everyone in the school together to give back to the community that gives to us.” junior Kinley Gibbs said.