Tory Scott/The Omniscient
Eighty two students gave blood at the annual blood drive hosted by The Red Cross and Northwood’s Nursing Fundamentals Thursday, April 20.
Nursing Fundamentals is instructed by first-year teacher and registered nurse, Julie Fogle. She encouraged students to take the time to donate.
“By taking 15 to 20 minutes out of your day, you could save up to three lives,” Fogle said.
Nursing Fundamentals helped organize the blood drive, by providing assistance to the Red Cross team and signing up Northwood students. The Red Cross team set up the equipment in the gymnasium and set up several stations.
Senior Mary Wardrop donated blood at the Thursday blood drive.
“During the summer I worked in the blood donation center at UNC, and I thought it was really interesting,” Wardrop said. “I thought it was really cool that other people did it, so I figured I should.”
Before students could donate blood, The Red Cross set up several checklists and procedures that students were required to pass. These were set in place to ensure the blood was safe to donate. After donating blood, students were given snacks and drinks to replenish their energy.
“It actually helps a lot more people than you expect, and it’s really cool,” Wardrop said.
Senior Victor Gomez has donated blood since his Sophomore year.
“I like saving and helping people,” Gomez said. “You are helping people in need that don’t have a chance.”
The annual blood drive raised more blood donations than needed. Flyers and papers were distributed to Northwood students to increase the amount of participation for the cause. The blood drive became an all day event due to the large amounts of students involved.
– By Mary Frances Scholle
