by Rayne Carey

Students opened up their veins at the AHS blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Although the goal for the blood donation was 85 units, NHS was short by 16 units. They ended up receiving 69 units of blood, which is enough to fill up 7 human bodies.

The steps of giving blood is first to answer some health questions. Next, they prick a finger to see if there is enough hemoglobin in your system. If you pass, then more health questions are answered and you are prepared to give blood.

This was the very first time guidance counselor and NHS advisor Jennifer Thurston gave blood. Thurston thought that the blood drive was good, but “wishes they had more donors,” but realizes that it is harder in the fall with sports still going on. After Thurston gave blood, she made sure that she drank juice and plenty of water. It is recommended to drink fluids and eat food after giving blood.

Junior Bailey Roenfeld said that giving blood went “pretty well,” and that she gave blood last year so she kind of knew what was going on. After giving blood, Roenfeld “went and drank some juice and relaxed.” Roenfeld said that drinking lots of water is important before, during, and after giving blood because it “gets your blood flowing again.”

The next AHS blood drive will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2015.