Four times per year, the National Honor Society hosts a public blood drive at the high school. In the spring NHS earns a financial donation from MI Blood based on the number of attempted donors throughout the year.

 

Blood donors make a lifesaving difference. More than 4.5 million patients need life-saving blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada. And blood is a perishable resource that can be stored only for a short time. That's why blood donors are needed every day.

You may be eligible to give blood every 56 days if you are a healthy person age 17 or older (or 16 with parent or guardian permission), weighing 112 pounds or more. However, females age 18 and younger must weigh 120 pounds or more. 

16-Year-Old Donors

Parent or guardian permission required for 16-year-old donors. For information, please visit the Required Forms page on the MI Blood website.

Blood donation is an easy, multi-step process requiring about 60 minutes per donation.

Before You Donate

• Get plenty of rest, drink extra fluids, eat a good meal (including iron-rich foods), and avoid alcohol.
•  If okay with your doctor and medical condition, eat more salty foods than usual 24 hours before you donate.
• Avoid smoking right before you donate. 

Donating

1. Registration

• Sign in to let us know you're here.
• Present photo ID or two forms of non-photo ID.
• 16-year-old donors will also need to present a parental consent form. 

2. Screening Area

• Answer questions about your health.
• Mini-physical: Temperature, pulse, and blood pressure are all checked. A small drop of blood from your fingertip is taken to test your iron level.

3. Hydration

• Drink a bottle of water to hydrate before you donate.

4. Donation

• A tourniquet goes on your arm above the elbow.
• A phlebotomist cleans your skin.
• The blood is collected (usually takes about 5-7 minutes).

5. Post-Donation Station

• Take 15 minutes to sit, relax, and enjoy a snack.
• Drink plenty of fluids. 

After You Donate

• Most people feel fine. Drink more nonalcoholic liquids than usual. This is important because your body replaces the liquid volume of the donated blood within 24 hours.
• If okay with your doctor and medical condition, eat more salty foods than usual 24 hours after you donate.
• If you smoke, avoid smoking for 30 minutes.
• Delay strenuous exercise until after your next regular, full meal.
• Leave the bandage on your arm for 3-4 hours to protect your skin against infection.
• If you feel light-headed after donating, sit down or pull off to the side of the road if you're driving and wait until you feel better before going on your way.

 

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