181 Central students participated in the annual fall blood drive on Thursday, November 13. The blood drive was put together by Colonel Bill Brooks, one of the JROTC instructors at Central, and his students. Blood Assurance is Chattanooga’s regional blood center that takes and distributes the blood we donate. This year’s blood drive was, like the previous few years, a huge success.

“The Central blood drive has been going on even before I came here,” stated Brooks. “I’ve been here for eight years, but the blood drive was never on this magnitude.”

Many students were willing and happy to donate their blood this year, but some were a bit hesitant. After it was all said and done though, they had a great deal of joy and gratification out of knowing that they were saving the lives of others.

“I was honestly really scared to donate blood. I’ve heard stories about people passing out or getting sick after, but I ended up being fine. I’m just happy that I’m doing something to help someone else. It feels good,” stated Daejanae Williams, a junior at Central.

There are many requirements and procedures that students must know in order to donate blood so they do not end up becoming another “passing out” story. Someone who wants to donate must be at least 110 pounds, be at least 16 years of age, and be in good health. If you do not meet these requirements, no blood will be donated; if you do, you must do a few things before and after donating to ensure that you will be okay.

“Before students donate, they should eat a good breakfast and stay hydrated. After they donate, they need to eat snacks and drink throughout the day. Soda especially helps with recovering. There is also a recovery area where students need to sit and wait. They need to wait to make sure they aren’t going to pass out or become sick,” explained Brooks.

After everyone who wants to give blood has done so, the Blood Assurances buses take the blood back the lab at their facility. There the blood will be tested and made sure that it is safe to be given out.

There are many benefits that come from donating blood, not just to the person receiving blood, but to the donor as well. If a student donates at least six units of blood during his/her high school career, that student will receive a Red Card of Courage on their graduation robe. If you missed the past blood drive or would like to donate again, the next blood drive will be on March 5, 2015.