By Alissah Poppema
MMCRU had many students willing to donate blood at this fall’s blood drive held on September 8. Autum Bonnstetter, Regan Peters, Caedyn Henrich, Gunnar Grage, Emma Vasher, Ella Ruba, Avery Schlenger, Amanda Lynch, Paul Schmidt, Jordyn Holsinger, Colin Pick, Gunnar Johnson, Keegan Stevens, Andrew Barinsky, Michael Rupp, Kortney Johnson, Erick Broadway, and Hayven Hollingshead were able to donate, as well as several others who were unfortunately unable to attend.
According to the Red Cross, in the U.S. every two seconds someone is in need of blood or platelets. Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day. Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily. Less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets. One donation can potentially save up to three lives. If you have type O blood, your’s is the most requested at hospitals.
For MMCRU, students are eligible to receive scholarships if they successfully give blood throughout the year. High school students can earn the honor of becoming a Donor of Distinction and receive a special honors cord to wear when they graduate, also known as silver cord and red cord. Graduates can get the silver cord if they give every year and the red cord if they donate a total of three times. An extra perk to donating is receiving extra credit from Mrs. Lynch. If a student is 16 years old, then the parents/guardians have to sign a paper for that student to give.
Together, we can save lives!