"Student Council’s drive collected many donations"
-He who must not be named
A snaking line of donors waited to enter the closed-off area in the Chap Court Sept. 19. The Student Council’s first blood drive of the year drew veteran donors as well as first-timers.
“It’s free, helpful, and wasn’t scary at all,’ said donor and Student Council member senior Mackenzie Meredith, who volunteered to work the sign-in booth.
“It just felt kind of like a warm prick.”
Each time people donate, they give about one pint of blood. In the past five years Westlake students have donated 692 pints which helped 1,384 patients, according to Nicolette Abernathy of The Blood Center of Central Texas. Also, donors received gifts of t-shirts, caffeine-free sodas and food.
Westlake’s next blood drive is scheduled for Nov. 27.
“It’s an easy way to help people and make a difference, and I got out of class,” senior Chelsea Wiseman said.
Criteria for donating:
Must weigh at least 110 pounds
Must not have donated within the last 56 days
Must have photo I.D.
Must not have taken certain prescription drugs recently
Must be at least 17 years old
Must not have traveled to certain countries outside the United States in the past year