This year, Valentines Day held a little extra impact in our community with the Franklin Red Cross Club hosting their second blood drive of the 2023-24 school year. The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization that helps provide relief for people during natural disasters and other emergencies, is currently in an emergency blood shortage. This means that many lives are at risk due to the lack of blood readily available in hospitals.
Red blood cells can only be stored up to 42 days and a continuous supply is needed to maintain sufficient stocks in hospitals, which is why there’s a constant demand for blood. Blood drives can be considered a win-win partnership between those in need and donors. Patients can get the life-saving blood they urgently require and at the same time, the club collaborates with donors to help foster goodwill and enhance community. The generous act of donating blood takes minimal effort and can save up to three people in need if you prepare to donate in the correct and healthy ways; it can be simple to leave an impact on others lives
The Red Cross Club is one of Franklin’s biggest clubs, with over 50 members. In addition to blood drives, the club provides plenty of other opportunities for volunteer work over the course of the year. Victoria Huynh, a Franklin junior and president of the club, says, “Those who are interested in the club quickly find out that the space provided is a welcoming and passionate one for anyone eager to have an impact on their community.”
If you missed the opportunity to donate at this past drive, don’t fret! The club has another drive planned in April. The blood donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes, on average, about an hour, with the donation itself only taking about 8-10 minutes. This means you can make an impact in saving lives by giving up only around an hour of your day.
You have to be over the age of 16 in order to donate, and if you’re 16 be sure to fill out the parental consent form — found on the American Red Cross website or when handed out by the Red Cross Club — before coming in to donate. Huynh describes how simple it is to sign up: “You’ll see the flyers with a QR code all across the building and [on] our social media. Filling out the form consists of ensuring donors meet the requirements and [we get] basic information [so we can] provide passes if you’re missing a class to donate. It’s important to note that the blood drive is open to everyone interested in donating blood, including staff and community members!”
Not only is it important that all donors meet the eligibility requirements, but also that they are maintaining iron levels that keep them healthy enough to give their blood. To meet the eligibility requirements you must weigh at least 110 pounds and be 17 years of age or older, or 16 with parental consent. To keep healthy iron levels before your donation, eat plenty of iron-rich foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry, beans, or spinach. It’s also important to stay hydrated and get a good night’s sleep before your donation. On the day of your donation, ensure that your Rapid Pass is complete — which can be filled out on the Red Cross website — to speed up your appointment time. Lastly, you must bring some form of identification, such as a driver’s license or donor card. After these steps, you’re ready to donate blood.
Franklin’s blood drives create a very welcoming environment and simple process for students and anyone in the community who wants to donate. Located on the top floor of Franklin’s gym building in the auxiliary gym, there are snacks and music to go along with the well-planned flow of the donation process. Ailinh Van, one of the Red Cross Club’s drive coordinators, explains their system, stating, “The people who come to take the blood are trained to do that, usually they’re volunteers from OHSU.” Blood drive volunteers assist with delivering hall passes to students making donations, bringing donors snacks, helping donors use the elevators after donating, and more. “It’s usually club members, they sign up and then I make a schedule for them,” says Van. Directing student volunteers is one of the blood drive coordinators’ jobs; they also work on advertising and scheduling appointments for donations.
Our nation currently faces the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years, so the American Red Cross offers incentives to encourage donating. They change what incentives they offer every month; the recent Valentine’s drive included “a free shirt and a $20 gift card.” Huynh adds, “People who donate once, typically donate again because of the environment and the aspect of saving lives.”
The club does a lot more in addition to hosting these important blood drives. Franklin’s Key Club and Red Cross Club are sister clubs, meaning that they plan volunteer events together and in recent years, have been able to cooperatively raise money for nonprofit organizations. Through the Red Cross Club’s association with the American Red Cross, they are also able to offer first aid training and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) learning sessions if members are interested.
The Red Cross Club is a valuable resource and piece of Franklin’s community that is committed to saving lives and turning compassion into action. “Red Cross is a very genuine club. It’s really for a good cause, it has a purpose that impacts and helps our community in so many ways,” says Van. When you see posters in Franklin’s halls promoting the Red Cross’ next blood drive, consider signing up to donate and help people in need.
