It’s time to sign up to give blood at the blood drive being held in the cafeteria on Saturday, April 16^th from 10 to 4.

Usually, there’s about twenty to thirty volunteers that sign up to give blood, but the senior class cabinet is hoping for at least 40 this year.

According to senior class moderator Mr. Chris Grasseschi, the process is very simple.

“The Blood Works professionals come in, set up their stations, and then begin screening the volunteer,” said Grasseschi.  “They’ll look over the questionnaire they have you fill out, then test your blood by pricking your finger to check your iron levels and see what type of blood you have. The whole process takes under an hour, 15-20 minutes for screening, about 15 for taking the blood, and a little bit of time to rest afterward so the Blood Works workers can make sure you’re fine before you leave.”

Senior Alexa Vecchio will be donating blood for the third time at the upcoming blood drive. She offered some advice for anybody who is new to the experiment.

“Make sure to eat right, drink lots of water, and get lots of sleep before hand,” said Vecchio.” It’s not as scary as people might think, you really don’t notice the change that much. Make sure to show up on time, because it’s a scheduled appointment, and if you miss it they may not have time for you, which means no free cookies and juice afterward.”

The blood drive is a great way to give back to the community.  For our community, its a great way to honor those people we’ve lost that are important to us.

“I am very proud of the senior class officers’ decision to use this opportunity to honor those people we have lost,” said Grasseschi.  “I lost my Dad last June, and my youngest brother the previous July.  I had to give blood ahead of time, but I always do so in their honor.”

If your donate blood on the 16th, you can write the names of the people you want to honor on a heart.  That heart will be put on a poster than will hang in the cafeteria for the following week. So honor a relative, a friend, or a classmate, and donate a pint of your blood.

It takes less than an hour and saves three lives. Did we mention you get cookies?