Many BSM students left class on Wednesday, Nov. 16 and returned with a colored arm band, a sticker, and a sense of giving. Memorial Blood Center’s blood drive happens at BSM biannually, hosted by the school’s National Honor Society.

The blood donated will go to people in the hospital who have had a loss of blood. “My sisters had done it so it felt like the right thing to do, knowing I was helping someone out,” said junior Tara Fan.

Students giving blood had to meet certain requirements before giving blood. Each student signed up to give blood, had to answer a long list of questions, and get their iron levels, blood pressure, and pulse checked before being cleared to donate. “I didn’t mind the questions because I knew it was for safety. I don’t want to hurt someone with my blood,” said Fan.

Although some of the questions may have seemed invasive, students complied, knowing that safety and blood viability were a priority for the blood drive. Upon answering the questions, some students found they were unable to donate due to several, common factors. One of the many reasons students were not allowed to donate their blood was because of shots they were given for trips they took out of the country.

Due to risk of fainting during the blood giving process, volunteers were on hand to make sure the student donors had eaten food and drank juice or pop to replenish their blood sugar before returning to class. “Seeing my classmates pass out was scary, but they recovered,” said junior volunteer Anne Arnason.

With all the kids passing out, students waiting to give blood became nervous easily. “I was really scared at first because of watching Scott Quinby go before me, but after the initial prick, I didn’t even feel it,” said Fan. “It hurt the most when they took the needle out.”

Many students were not able to participate in after school activities because they felt weak after donating blood. Although they felt some minor effects of donating, students considered it an insignificant factor compared to all the good they were doing. “It feels good knowing I helped someone,” said Fan.