KO donates for a good cause
Keystone Oaks annual blood drive took place on Thursday, March 2nd, in the gym lobby from 8:00-1:00. Mrs. Beth Smith, business and technology teacher and senior class sponsor, is in charge of the blood drive.
According to Smith, there is an average of 50 people that sign up for the blood drive. The blood drive is sponsored through Central Blood Bank. Students under the age of 16 must have a parent’s consent in order to donate, said Smith. Other restrictions apply.
“If you have high blood pressure or certain types of drugs, any cancers, weight, anemia, fever, or sick in any way,” said Smith on the reasons people cannot donate.
Many of the kids that donated said it was their first year donating. Logan Hilty, a 12th grader at Keystone Oaks High School, donated this year. saying it was his first year.
“It hurts a little at first, but then afterwards it doesn't.”
Hilty said it took 10-15 minutes to donate blood. After students donate, they have snacks and drinks for them to help themselves to.
Haley Dilla, an 11th grader at Keystone Oaks High school, also said this was her first year.
“I’m not a big fan of needles, but if you don't look, you only feel a little pinch.”
Dilla chose to donate “to do good, to save someone's life.”
Keystone Oaks has been doing the blood drive with Central Blood Bank for 15-plus years, Smith stated. When you donate, there has to be a certain amount of days before a person can donate again so the body has time to rest.
Once you donate students will receive a gift. In the previous years, they gave away t-shirts or phone cases.
Posted: Friday, March 3, 2017