Every two seconds, someone in the U.S is in need of blood.  That means 41,000 donations of blood are needed everyday.

National Honor Society hosted a blood drive on Sept. 20 and gathered 200 units of blood.  One unit of blood can save up to three lives, which which adds up to about 600 lives.

Junior Kala Urban said, “It was very successful, we got a lot of blood.  We had more people donate this year, which means we raised more.”  Urban participated in the blood drive last year and explained how it was different from last year.  “This year was a lot less stressful for me because I already knew what I was doing and didn’t have to worry about much.”

It is estimated that 38 percent of the population of the U.S. can donate blood, but only 10 percent actually do.

Urban said, “I recommend donating blood to others because you are saving three lives every time you do it.  Also it makes you feel good about yourself knowing that you helped someone.”

One person who got in a car accident could need up to 100 pints of blood.  That means just one could need 100 people’s blood.  A person with Leukemia needs about eight units a week.  Patients with internal bleeding need two to eights units of blood.

Junior Lauren Jorgensen explained, “I encourage other people to do the blood drive because you’re saving three lives every time you do it.”

The process of donating blood is very safe.  Each person who donates uses a different needle.  Most people have 12 units of blood in their body so when you give blood it is not taking all your blood.

Jorgensen said, “Being scared is a terrible excuse, just look away, you can’t even feel it. I was slightly scared but I felt amazing afterwards.”

Donating blood is a safe and easy way to save many peoples lives.  It is a small thing for a huge cause.