According to donor recruiter Christian Abati, there is someone in need of a blood transfusion every two seconds, but blood doesn’t just appear out of thin air. On Thursday, Jan. 30 the One Blood bus came to Hagerty to draw blood from students age 16 and up who were willing
to donate. One Blood partnered with the school’s JROTC program as they have done in previous years. Two buses were parked outside of the auditorium and open to students from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Those who donated received a free shirt and were given snacks and refreshments.
Food and hydration are crucial after blood donation because blood volume and blood sugar decrease after getting blood drawn. Students wait five to 10 minutes before they leave to make sure they are physically fit to go back to class.
“You feel a little bit dizzy afterwards which is why you need snacks but it’s also kind of relieving, you feel accomplished like you did something good,” senior Ali Jacobs said.
Jacobs and her friend, senior Hannah Jiang, have donated four times each. They recommend donating with a friend to make the experience easier.
“[If you are considering donating] Do it, it’s scary but you’ll feel like a good person after, even if you only donate once, it’s an experience and it’s worth it, you’re helping somebody,” Jacobs said. “I’d say do it with a friend as well, it’s a lot more fun when you have someone there, we do it every single time together.”
Donors can usually donate around every 60 days. After being drawn the blood is tested several times for diseases such as HIV and is then sent to people in need all over the world. If a disease is found in the blood the donor will be notified. Tests can take up to a few days. The demand for blood is much higher than what One Blood can supply. However they do their best to help as many people as possible.
“The demand quota is never going to be filled, but we are willing to take that challenge to make a difference on this planet,” Abati said. “It feels amazing to help people, part of our mission is to save people who either have cancer or a blood disease such as sickle cell, even some levels of leukemia.”
Recipients of the blood will sometimes send letters of appreciation to their donor, adding to the feel good aspect of donation and creating a sense of connection between donor and patient.
“We have an option to reach out on our website called ‘message my donor,’ you would be surprised at how many people send messages saying how the blood donation gave them years more to live—it’s extraordinary,” Abati said.
The actual process of drawing the blood is fairly straightforward. Students enter the bus through a door on the back right side and are then seated. The needle is then inserted and they are given a ball to squeeze while the blood is being drawn, this helps to increase blood flow and prevent fainting. All One Blood staff are trained professionals, but this doesn’t mean that everything always goes smoothly.
“The first time I attempted to donate blood they poked me over and over again and my vein just wasn’t coming out but I still got the free shirt. The second, third, and fourth times I was able to donate,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs also fainted right before her last donation. Many students feel anxious before donating but pre-donation anxiety usually dies down once the needle is in.
“I was only really nervous the first time, but everytime I still think in the back of my head ‘Is this going to hurt?’ I know that if I think like that I will get scared so I try to block it out,” Jiang said.
One Blood has maintained a good relationship with Hagerty for years through Abati and other representatives. A new donation date has not been set but the bus will be returning to campus at some point in 2025 for students looking to help someone in need.
