Students save lives

Many say that they would die to save another, but very few practice what they preach. Over 100 AHS students lived up to the saying and donated their blood to the INOVA blood-bank.

 “I’ve never donated before, but it’ll be good to save lives. I think everyone should take advantage of such a good opportunity to help others and save three lives,” said senior May Dang.

The INOVA blood drive was coordinated by  senior Leadership students Melissa Harmouche, Amanda Krause, Catherine Nguyen, Erika Dyer, Danial Khan and Madina Israilova.

According to the leadership adviser, Abbie Kahn, AHS contributed to the INOVA hospital’s blood tour, to collect a total of 120 units of blood, including 6 Alyx (double units). Only 40 of those potential donors were deferred. Compared to last year’s total of 105 units, this year’s collection greatly exceeded the expectations of many of the INOVA specialists.

The blood drive took place all day in Clausen Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 11.  Students were assigned time intervals to give blood throughout the school day between 7:30am and 1:00pm. This year’s turnout was remarkable. The report also shows that a total of 160 donors were screened. Clausen Hall was crowded throughout the day as a result of the number of people who came to give blood.

When asked how they were feeling prior to giving blood, many students replied nervously. “I was really nervous because everyone in there was on the ground when I went in. It helped to eat a lot. They had to take my BP twice because I was freaking out so much,” said senior Kristina Berry.

Another student expresses her apprehension towards donating blood.
“I’m very nervous about passing out. And needles. Needles hurt,” said Dang.

Special education teacher, Dan Porter, compared this experience of donating blood to times in the past. “I was feeling fantastic. I’ve done it before so I wasn’t nervous, but I don’t look [at the needles]. I still hate needles. I can feel it; it’s uncomfortable. It’s weird squeezing the ball because my arm instantly feels weaker.” Regardless, Porter has never fainted. “[Giving blood] is not the most fun thing to do. ” Says Porter.

But senior Lucas Cochran does not worry about the possibility of passing out. “I don’t faint. I’m a man, I have hair on my chest!” said Cochran excitedly.

A few students and teachers showed their feelings of tranquility and even excitement. “I’m not really nervous. I’ve never done it before, but I’m very happy to give blood,” said junior Samantha Dade.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I’ve been through this process before. Last time I got dizzy,” said senior Mohammad Qureshi.

Students weighing 150 pounds or more and standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall were given the choice of donating one or two pints of blood. “I’m giddy like a schoolgirl,” said Cochran when asked how he was feeling while having double the regular amount of blood drawn. “I’m a hero because I’m giving double the blood. I’m saving six lives instead of three.”

The blood donation specialists had each patient giving blood raise there arm to help the flow of blood in their body. “The tingling sensation comes from tension on the upper arm. So we have patients raise their arm to make the blood clot,” said Sr. Mobile Team Leader, Terrance Cochran.

Although it was not recommended that students exercise the day they give blood, after school sports remained one of the major concerns for AHS students. “I’m not nervous, not scared. I’m just concerned about after the blood is drawn because I have to attend after-school sports,” said senior Ki Lee.

Some students passed out after their blood was taken. One student commented on how this affected her state of mind while waiting to give blood. “I was scared because I [heard] stories of what happened [with students fainting] and then I walked in and [saw] bags of blood everywhere.” said senior Jaclyn Mohlmann. “And then after, I felt like the life was sucked out of me. I was not doing well. And people told me I was really white in the face.”

Despite many fears of needles and passing out, all of the donors who attended the blood drive had blood drawn safely and successfully.