Colton, CA—On September 14, Colton High School hosted their annual blood drive in the McIntosh gym for the high school students to donate blood, coordinated by LifeStream, a non-profit blood bank.

The event was organized by the Colton High School HEAL pathway and their adviser, Kristin Griffith. Their mission was for students to know how easy it was to donate blood to save lives.

Student volunteers connected their HEAL coursework to the real life experience of working the blood drive.

While students didn’t get to draw blood, they observed the blood drawing and storing process. Seniors Emily Ramirez and Natalie Cordon shared that it was really important donating blood, and they enjoyed offering emotional support to students. Through their experiences in the classroom and at the blood drive, they learned about blood types and blood structure.

Ramirez said that student reactions to having their blood drawn varied, but “lots of them were nervous and scared because of the needle.” Sophomore Melissa Salcedo was not scared. “I am very confident and there is nothing to be scared about donating blood. It is a very quick process and my body will make more blood.”

Griffith said “Donating blood can be scary, but the impact is what matters.” 

Over 50 students donated blood, which benefited local hospital Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. For their efforts, the HEAL pathway received a monetary donation from LifeStream.

To donate blood, students registered using a Google form, determined if they met the blood drawing requirements, then submitted a signed permission slip. To qualify, students had to be at least 15 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more.

While some students didn’t meet the requirements, they were asked to encourage their friends to donate blood.

Griffith wished her students and donors learned the simplicity of donating blood to help save lives, and hoped they learned something new about their body and the function of blood.