As summer turns to fall it’s time to give blood at Prairie… not to vampires, but to The Red Cross a nonprofit humanitarian organization!
The Red Cross worked with Prairies HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) to put together a “safe space” for students to be introduced to giving blood and help save lives on September 22nd. “Universally” it is important for Blood Banks to have a blood supply and for hospitals to help retrieve blood. Since 2018 there’s been a decrease in blood bank supply due to things like “war and weather-related injuries” that happen globally. “Our banks started getting lower and lower, and then when 2020 happened our banks got really low.” HOSA Advisor Melissa Levine shared. This is the way Prairie is helping solve that problem!
This is an opportunity at Prairie for students to be a part of something bigger than themselves and give back the their community, it even counts as community service hours. This is important to Emerson VanDeWege as she mentions, “If I am able to help or save somebody who is is need of blood with my blood, I feel like it’s my way of helping even if it’s not direct.”
HOSA runs the blood drive for the Falcons; HOSA is a great opportunity to be recognized as a “helper” on campus and give back in numerous different ways. “It a very inclusive club, and I feel like when you’re a part of a club that has that mission to spread awareness and kindness…it gives kids that extra boost to come to school,” Levine says. HOSA is also a great boost for students looking to go into the medical field.
Giving blood at your school’s blood drive is a great way to get involved and save lives while doing it, watch for Future Blood Drives and stay connected!
