By Ulises Araiza ’11
THE ROUNDUP

Eighty-five students and six faculty members donated blood on Oct. 2, saving up to 243 lives.

Students who donated had to sign up online, and were e-mailed the time of their blood donation appointment.

The first students and faculty members began arriving by 8:30 a.m. to the south side of the Harper Great Hall where staff members from the United Blood Services were ready to collect blood, which will be used to help those in need.

“I expected the needle to be smaller—it was a big needle,” said Jared Godber ’11 shortly after he donated blood.

This was the first year that Brophy’s chapter of the National Honor Society took charge of the Blood Drive. Overall, NHS moderator Mr. Fred Garner said he was pleased by the turnout of students and faculty at the event.

Members of the NHS who donated blood were granted one hour of community service.

“We go pretty much all around Arizona, and we try to get all the schools,” said UBIE Donor Relations Specialist Yara Celaya.

The blood donation procedure most commonly done at high schools is whole blood donation.

“It takes about eight to 10 minutes (to donate blood) but the whole process takes about 45 minutes,” said Clarissa Shaw, UBIE donor care specialist.

Why does the process take so long?

Shaw said that the interview takes on average 15 to 20 minutes, the donation eight to 10 minutes, and the recovery takes about 15 minutes.

Shaw added that before donating, people should have plenty of water, as well as a hearty meal.

“It feels rewarding knowing that my blood is going to a good cause,” said Will Wareing ’11. Wareing wanted to donate last year but was unable to because of his participation in sports.

Despite an initial fear to the needle, Macario Candia ’11 was able to complete the process.

“It was a good thing to do, and I wanted to get the experience of donating blood,” he said.

This was the first time that Godber, Wareing and Candia donated blood. All three of them said they plan to do so again in the future.

The next Brophy Blood Drive will be in the spring.