On Thursday, Oct. 5, between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., the JROTC program will help “One Blood” host the blood drive after Hurricane Irma.

The blood drive will take place in front of the auditorium and is open to anyone 16 years or older with parent permission and signature on the forms. For donors who are 18, parent permission is not needed.

Sign ups will take place Friday, Sept. 29 through Wednesday, Oct. 4 during first and second lunches. Another option is to make an appointment the day of the drive with all the filled out paper work.

1st Sgt Vazquez, one of the JROTC sponsors helping to coordinate the event, encourages everyone to donate blood from his personal experience.

“My older brother needed blood, so luckily we both had the same blood type at the time,” Vazquez said. “If I hadn’t donated, I don’t know where he would be today.”

Each blood donor can save up to three lives. People who donate also find out their blood type, cholesterol levels, iron levels, and blood pressure before donating.