Kearsley’s NHS is sponsoring a blood drive Friday, Dec 4.

Students must have picked up a packet at lunch by Thursday to sign up to give blood.

In addition, students’ parents must approve, by signing a consent document from the packet.

To be a donor, students must be 16 or older.

Students have the option to do just a whole blood donation or the donation along with an apheresis donation.

An apheresis donation is a type of blood donation that collects specific components from the blood such as platelets, plasma, or red cells.

To donate you must weigh at least 110 pounds.

Students who sign up will be called out of class.

Erin Davis, junior, is not only giving blood. She is also helping work during the school day at the blood drive.

“I’m not nervous about giving blood. I don’t think anyone should be,” Davis said. “It’s a very important cause.”

Some who sign up may not be able to donate after the screenings.

Before a Red Cross staff member starts taking a donor’s blood, the donor’s blood will be screened for an infectious diseases.

Every donation is tested for hepatitis B and C, HIV, and other diseases.

Once donors pass these screenings, then they will be begin the donation process.

Students that have gotten a tattoo within a year are unable to give blood.

Hannah Ploof, NHS president, cannot give blood because of her recent tattoo.

“I think everyone that can give blood should. If I hadn’t gotten a tattoo I definitely would,” Ploof said.

NHS members provide juice, cookies, and chips for those who donate.

Most donors feel fine after donating, but occasionally some feel lightheaded.

To meet its demand, the Red Cross needs to collect over six million donations a year.