On May 1, 2012, the De Soto High School Student Council hosted the annual blood drive in the little gym.

While over 20 people were turned away for various reasons, over 60 units of blood were collected. The goal for this year’s drive was 75 units, but many students who were signed up to donate were unable to due to the rescheduling of a track meet.

Even though the goal for the drive was not met, because only about one percent of people who are able to donate blood do, every donation helps.

“There is no substitute for blood other than blood. Research into red blood cells is being done, but there is nothing viable yet. If we don’t collect blood, people having surgery or people who have a bleeding disorder or a blood condition cannot survive,” said Community Blood Center employee Adron Gateley.

Donating blood were students and teachers alike, many for the first time, but for senior Sammi Schemmel, this was nothing new.

“I always thought I never would, [give blood] but I did it last year and it was fine,” Schemmel said.

The blood collected will go to one of the 70 hospitals in Kansas and Missouri the Community Blood center serves.