Palo Altans have an opportunity to help save a life at the Key Club’s biannual blood drive, scheduled for next Friday, Dec. 4 in the Paly small gym.
“We’re trying to meet our goal of getting 100 donors this year,” said Key Club Co-Vice President Kevin Hu, who is also coordinating the event. “Last year we got about 60 donors, so we’re increasing publicity this year to get as much blood donated as possible.”
Personal experiences with the acute blood shortage around the community motivated some students to donate in the past.
“During junior year, I started working with post-bone marrow transplant patients at Stanford,” senior Ivan Zhou said. “I always heard that they were in need of blood and that if they had more blood, that would increase their patients’ chances of survival.”
“Since then, I went to the Stanford Blood Center and signed up for a card,” he continued. “They call me if they’re in need of my blood type, and I donate about once every three months.”
Senior Patrick Liu has also been involved with the Stanford Blood Center.
“I used to volunteer at the blood center, so I’m pretty familiar with how everything works,” Liu said. “There’s a shortage of blood in the Bay Area, and if it only takes half an hour to help, I don’t see why I shouldn’t.”
Even when students did not have first-hand experiences, they still were aware of the issue and pleased with their contributions.
“I felt it was a good way to help people in need, even though you don’t know who’s getting your blood,” senior Sandra Koen said. “You are helping to save someone’s life.”
Senior John Olson agreed, “It’s a cool idea that you can make a difference in someone else’s life indirectly just by sitting in a chair for fifteen minutes.”
While most donors reported no negative health effects, there were a few cases of dizziness and fatigue.
“The only drawback was that I was lightheaded for a day or two, but if you drink lots of water it goes away,” Koen said. “I don’t think I can donate blood this year only because I have to do a rehab program that involves high-intensity activity for my injured knee.”
Physical education teacher Kay Gibson said, “I was near the weight limit and I was just wiped out after [I donated blood]. I was dizzy the whole day and I couldn’t really function well, but since that was 15 years ago I might try to donate again now.”
Students also cited the importance of eating breakfast and lunch to reduce adverse effects.
“I got tired and sleepy and I had to wait longer for my blood to come out because I didn’t eat breakfast,” senior Edward Choi said. “I’m donating blood again, but I’m going to make sure to eat something before this time.”
Key Club President Erika Ji said that most people are fine after they donate blood.
“Although there are a few exceptions, most donors don’t experience significant health problems from donating,” she said. “We also give them time to rest and food like cookies and popcorn after they donate [to minimize health problems].”
Sports, illness, international travels and parental concerns prevented some students from donating.
“I can’t donate blood because my crew coach wouldn’t let me,” senior Ben Brown said. “It would make me weak.”
Hu said, “The nurses wouldn’t let me donate last year because I had been sick a few weeks before [the blood drive].”
Senior Sarah Lee added, “I can’t donate because I just sank under the 110-pound line, but I’m still helping as much as possible through volunteering and flyering. I also feel like people who are donating blood really need some moral support.”
On the day of the blood drive, donors should expect to check-in with the front desk, fill out a few more forms and have a quick discussion with a nurse to ensure that they are in good health, according to Hu. He added that they will subsequently be escorted to have their blood extracted, and lastly, they will be given snacks to recuperate.
Students who wish to donate should write on the blood drive Facebook group’s wall or send an email to [email protected] with the following information: name, birthdate, first and second choices for donation times (second through sixth period and lunch), first period teacher’s name, and personal email address.
Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be 16 years of age or older, but those under 18 need to complete a parental consent form that is available from the Facebook group.
Additionally, students may contact Key Club members for signing up, permission forms and any other concerns, Ji said. Walk-ins from students and Palo Alto community members on the day of the event are welcome between 8:45 a.m. and 2:05 p.m.