On November 12th during the school day, the FHS Peer Leaders will host a Red Cross Blood Drive. This will take place on a day 7 during periods CDEFG, and will be held in the FHS gymnasium.

Every two seconds someone in the United States is in need of blood. Donating blood can help save the lives of individuals suffering from serious injuries, surgeries, childbirth, blood disorders, or blood cancers, such as Leukemia or Lymphoma. Blood donations are sent through the red cross directly to patients in need; donations from the public are the only way that it is possible for the Red Cross to receive blood to give to patients.

This blood drive is specific to FHS students only, and Peer Leadership is always looking for more individuals to donate. However, there are a variety of requirements by the American Red Cross that you must meet in order to be eligible to donate:

• You must be at least 16 years old (Donating at 16 requires parental consent, 17+ does not)
• You must be at least 110 lbs
• You must have not donated blood in the last 56 days
• If you have been outside the US in the past three years you must come prepared with information on the countries you traveled to as this may impact your eligibility to donate

Signups will be taking place during lunch starting Thursday October 31. Upon signing up you will be given information about the drive, as well as a parental consent form if needed. You will also be asked to provide your name and contact information. Keep in mind that the blood drive takes place on a day 7, so please only sign up for a time slot that would coincide with your direct study or elective (unless otherwise approved by a teacher.)

If you are a senior who eats in the library or a teacher who would like to donate, please fill out this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdvTaRGVChzmIzBmwCIr6QjO9RSV_Xx5zf4BySp57HqWKVcBA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Here are some important facts about blood donation courtesy of the American Red Cross: 

• Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.
• Nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S.
• Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O.
• Sickle cell disease affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the U.S. About 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. Sickle cell patients can require blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• According to the American Cancer Society, about 1.7 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2017. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• A single-car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

Though there are some important requirements, if you are willing and eligible you are strongly encouraged to donate blood this fall.