The annual De Soto High School blood drive resulted in many people being able to contribute to saving lives in a small way on May 6, 2014.

The drive was sponsored by Student Council and was advertised many weeks prior to the event.

Those who wanted to give blood had to sign up prior to the event and turn in a permission slip if they were not 18. On the day of the drive, participants had to have their blood pressure, hemoglobin and iron levels checked. They also were asked multiple questions to ensure that they did not have any diseases that could be transmitted through the blood.

In total, 56 individuals were registered the day of the blood drive. However, only 42 were able to give blood because of various reasons.

StuCo president senior Maddy Cater was one the people who decided to give blood and was motivated to give blood by the idea of being able to save a life. However, Cater did not have a positive experience while giving blood.

“For me, they couldn’t find my vein, so they poked around a lot, and it was painful,” Cater said. “And then my blood was flowing really slow.”

StuCo treasurer senior Elaina Grantham, who had given blood two times prior to the event, also did not have a positive experience.

“I got really hot and dizzy in the middle of mine,” Grantham said. “I hadn’t eaten lunch; I think that’s why, so they had to lay me down and put ice packs on my neck.”

Grantham also did not like the way the blood drive was managed.

“They needed more [check-in] people because there was a line literally out the door. It was probably an hour or two hours long,” Grantham said.

However, even with the negative experience, Cater would still recommend giving blood to others. Grantham believes that if one “does not get dizzy easily” then they should give blood. Cater also would still be willing to give blood again in the future.

StuCo sponsor Lori Hughes also gave blood and was one of the many staff members to do so.

“I gave blood because the blood supply has really been dipping lately, according to the coordinator, so I felt like that was the least I could do for all the people who need blood,” Hughes said.

Unlike Grantham and Cater, Hughes had a rather positive experience. She would also recommend it to others.

“Mine went pretty smoothly because I waited until the very end and the line had died down. Mine went fairly quickly and my blood came out fast,” Hughes said.

Next year, Hughes wants to start the blood drive earlier in the day and have it go until 4:00 or 4:30, so that they “can have more time for people during school.”

Overall, StuCo’s goal was to get 80 registered individuals so  they could receive 50 units of blood, since usually multiple people are disqualified from giving blood on the day. In total,  42 units of blood were given. However, Hughes is still happy with the amount of blood given.

“I am [happy]. I would like to see it increase, and I think we could do that by changing the times,” Hughes said.