Save a Life and Donate Blood
Brysenia Miranda/Hawkview
Blood drives are held at La Quinta High School four times a year. Each blood drive is held for two days to give staff and students, who are at least 16 years old, a chance to donate blood for a good cause.
If students donate blood four times throughout their high school career, they will receive a red cord to wear at their graduation ceremonies. If students donate eight times, then they will get a red and white cord.
The drive is hosted by LifeStream, but presented by LQHS’ Medical Health Academy student volunteers. Keep in mind that the student volunteers are not the ones who draw blood, trained professionals from LifeStream do.
Some helpful tips for donating include drinking lots of water and eating well. Ms. Pedersen, head teacher of MHA, suggests students to not be involved with any sport at the time of donation in order to prevent the student-athletes from becoming dizzy. Pedersen also mentioned that they have “hand holder” MHA students who walk first-time blood donors through the entire donating process.
Each time LifeStream comes around LQHS for the blood drive, approximately 100 to 120 Blackhawks donate. The next blood drive will take place on Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18.
Brysenia Miranda is a senior at La Quinta High School. She is in her first year of journalism. She enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with her family and friends in her free time. She is outgoing, adventurous, athletic, and very school spirited. She hopes that journalism will help her become a...