NHS will host blood drive

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
Newcastle High School will host the United Blood Services blood drive on Nov. 26. The student council will help volunteers during the blood drive while witnessing the gift of giving that is donating blood. 
“I think this community event is a valuable way to be a part of saving lives,” Hope McKay, student council facilitator said. “Student council is focused on having a service mindset so that we can make a difference in our community.” 
McKay said that student council members will volunteer in shifts throughout the day. According to McKay, they will help check in donors and serve snacks and water to donors. 
Principal Tracy Ragland said that the high school was once asked by the United Blood Services to be a host site and has since hosted a blood drive four or five times, although not annually. 
According to Ragland, students can be donors as long as they meet the requirements of United Blood Services and have proper permission from guardians. 
“By holding it here, we get to show the students, especially the younger kids, how important it is to donate,” Ragland said, noting that the event benefits students even if they can’t donate yet. 
The community is invited to donate during the drive, and according to the United Blood Services website, eligible donors are always needed. 
According to givingblood.org, 4.5 million Americans annually need a blood transfusion and a total of 43,000 pints of donated blood are used each day, with someone needing blood every 2 seconds. 
Of the entire U.S. population, 37 percent are eligible to donate blood. Healthy adults at least 17 years old and weighing over 110 pounds qualify to donate about a pint of blood every 56 days. 
The blood drive at Newcastle High School will take place Nov. 26 from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library located near the front entrance.  Appointments can be made before that day through the United Blood Services website at bloodhero.com.