This Friday, Jan. 30, Student Council (STUCO) is holding a blood drive in the Back Gym. The drive will start at 7:45 a.m. and will end at 1 p.m. According to David Choate, STUCO sponsor, 105 students were able to donate one unit of blood each last year and this year there are 145 students signed up so far.

To prepare to give blood, students should hydrate, wear clothes with sleeves that can be easily rolled up above the elbow, eat a healthy meal and make sure to have an ID and a list of any medications. In order to safely give blood, a person must be at least 110 pounds.

For those students who think they can’t donate because they take daily medications, don’t assume anything too fast. You can still donate!

“In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted,” according to The American Red Cross.

When students arrive at the Back Gym they will sign in, be given a mini physical, donate blood and then will be given something to eat and drink afterwards. During the mini physical, students’ pulse, blood pressure, temperature and hemoglobin levels will be measured. The actual blood donation will only take 8-10 minutes and after students have had a snack they will be asked to wait 10-15 minutes before returning to class.

Most often, people donate because they are asked by a friend, because a friend or a family member might need it someday or simply because it’s a good thing to do.

“There is always a blood shortage, so anytime a drive happens, I believe it is imperative to help out in anyway we can,” Choate said.