Blood drive at school yesterday

It’s never dull.

From 3rd period on, I was missing an average of 12 kids per period. (Out of classes of 32-38 kids). Between the flu, strep, mono, a stomach bug and all the seniors giving blood or recovering, it was a good day to continue teaching an old topic; today we’ll start a new one.

I did have one kid come very close to passing out in class. I sent a girl for the nurse with a wheelchair, while I stood right next to her chair. She tried going to the ladies room with an escort, but made it about 3 steps before I sat her down, she was just too wobbly. I’m guessing she may be out today.

Kudos to all those kids who gave blood. It’s scary the first time, I know. But they did something that will prolong the life of another person, probably a number of people. At age 17, it’s seldom you can say that.

I thought you had to be 18 to donate blood?
It’s a great thing, but I would have expected it to be better to do after school.

Just looked and saw it is 17. I’m really surprised by that.

I think it’s actually 16 with permission, but definitely 17. We’ve found that our kids-- and teachers and secretaries-- are VERY busy with sports and activities after school. We do far better with donations during the school day.

I’m curious about our numbers. My guess is that this year the total donations will be down from last year… the flu season is kicking our butt this year.

I’m sure they are busy after school, but after giving blood a ton of times, I’ve seen people have a bit of trouble right after and need that extra time to rest and have liquids, etc. It’s especially true of 1st timers, which most of the kids would be. It just doesn’t seem better for the kids to have them giving blood during the school day, but that would be something for the kids and possibly they parents to decide and a YMMV kind of thing.
I mentioned the thread to my d19 and she said their school had one yesterday too. She didn’t try, mostly because she had had nurses have trouble drawing blood in the past (my husband does too) but she would likely have been turned away because she was sick last week and still had a leftover cough. Two of her friends tried; one was coughing and sent away and the other didn’t weigh enough. With so many kids sick, I agree that numbers probably are down.

In NYS, it’s 16 with parental permission. The girls seem to have a tougher time but many can’t donate at all because you have to be over 110 lbs. However, one of my son’s friends, a sturdy 6’er, passed out the first time he gave blood.

With regard to saving a life - S17 began donating as soon as he turned 16 (we are a scouting family and we all donate regularly). Just about one year ago, he donated at a drive for an injured LEO in our area and registered to be a bone marrow donor. Although he was too young, they held his card. Last month, he was a bone marrow donor for a person with a blood cancer.

I tell people that if you can donate blood, it’s one of the safest and easiest ways to give back. When my kids were small, on the few occasions I could actually donate, I often fell asleep because it was so relaxing.

I used to run the blood drives at my old job. Two days before I would post signs telling people to seriously increase the amount of water they drink. Being well hydrated is essential to having a good experience.

Unfortunately in the winter I don’t think people consider how much water they are drinking, the way they do in the warmer months.

@surfcity -

You are absolutely correct about the water. I have to remind myself about that as well. Another thing is that people should eat some iron rich food the day or two before hand. Before I hit menopause, I was often deferred due to low iron and eating a steak a day or two before (or doing something similar for vegetarians and vegans) helped quite a bit.

To be honest, I don’t know a high school that doesn’t run a blood drive during the school day. We do. My husband’s school does. The school I worked in when I first started teaching does. My kids’ high school does.

I think it’s a great thing to teach to high school kids. And when I was giving the plug in homeroom yesterday morning, I mentioned that it’s absolutely common to be afraid… but think of the number of piercings in your ears, or that tattoo you’re planning for your 18th birthday before you state that you’re afraid of needles. It got a good chuckle from some of the kids.

I think we got ballpark 140 pints. Down a bit from last year if I remember correctly, but we have zillions of kids out sick.

Oh, and yesterday’s casuality was in school, feeling much better.

I really like giving blood. I was so excited to donate once I turned 16. My cross country coach was not happy when they heard I had donated, though… I have only donated once since then. But it’s a fairly pleasant experience. I think it’s good to get out of one’s comfort zone as well.