The West Union High School Beta Club hosted their annual autumn blood drive on Friday, Nov. 13. Hoxworth Blood Center’s High School Blood Program offers students an excellent opportunity to learn firsthand how they can contribute to their community by making a difference in the lives of people around them. Students who participate in organizing blood drives learn valuable skills in leadership, community service, communication, project management, planning, setting and reaching goals and teamwork. The Hoxworth Blood Center is also in associated with the University of Cincinnati.

After giving blood, students were given drinks and snacks and a gift bag with headphones and literature about blood donation. Students can earn a scholarship from the Hoxworth Blood Center by giving blood and can wear honor cords at graduation for donating four times.

Thirteen percent of Hoxworth’s total yearly blood collections come from high school blood drives. In fact, during the last school year, there were approximately 12,000 donors at high school blood drives. Since one donation can save up to three lives, about 36,000 tri-state patients were helped by students in just one year.

WUHS was able to register 44 donors, however, because of health issues, some were not able to donate. Thirty-one units of blood were collected which equals to saving almost 100 lives.

The following Beta Club members helped organize the WUHS Blood Drive: Sarah White, MacKenzie Smith, Julia Tackett, Hunter Jones, Taylor Grooms, Kendall Gallowitz, Ms. Tess Holloway (advisor), Rayanna McFarland, Brittany Caldwell, Haley Knauff, and Alisha Harmon.

The following Beta Club members helped organize the WUHS Blood Drive on Nov. 13: Sarah White, MacKenzie Smith, Julia Tackett, Hunter Jones, Taylor Grooms, Kendall Gallowitz, Ms. Tess Holloway (advisor), Rayanna McFarland, Brittany Caldwell, Haley Knauff, and Alisha Harmon.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Blood.jpgThe following Beta Club members helped organize the WUHS Blood Drive on Nov. 13: Sarah White, MacKenzie Smith, Julia Tackett, Hunter Jones, Taylor Grooms, Kendall Gallowitz, Ms. Tess Holloway (advisor), Rayanna McFarland, Brittany Caldwell, Haley Knauff, and Alisha Harmon. Photo by Jamie Puckett

By Jamie Puckett