Learning to give blood

First-time donors dominate drive at CLHS

by Megan Young

for the Mirror-Reporter

Clear Lake High School was home to the 15th annual blood drive put on by the Clear Lake High School Anatomy II class.  The class consists of 27 students this year who 

carried out the plans for another successful year.  On March 11, Lifeserve Blood Center brought a bus and equipment in to facilitate the donations.  

“The reason we use Lifeserve is because the blood stays local.  We used Red Cross for the first three years, but I like the idea we help people in our own area,” said CLHS science teacher Sherry Hansen.    In 2000, Hansen attended a blood drive where the idea was planted by another colleague.  She began working with the American Red Cross to create a project-based learning opportunity for her students.  

“It works well with Anatomy II because they have the maturity, knowledge base and have studied about blood,” she said.  “Support from the administration, especially the principals I’ve had over the years, has been crucial.” 

This was the 18th blood drive that CLHS has sponsored.  In 2007 and 2008 there were two classes of Anatomy II and both executed blood drives.  The additional drives were in the fall, however spring seems to be a better time due to the weather, but the hardest part is working around schedules for sports and extracurricular activities.  

The blood drive is a huge component that students can put on resumes for community service hours, she adds.  Several students have ambitions of becoming nurses, doctors or other medical personnel and this experience lets them see if they can handle being around the chaos and medical experiences.  It also allows the students to work on collaboration, small group meetings and deadlines, and contributing to a larger cause.   

There is a new program put on for blood donors called the ‘Gallon Grad.’  Each graduate that donates eight times before graduation receives a red cord to wear with their cap and gown on commencement day. - Read More via e-Edition