The De Soto High School Student Council hosted a blood drive open to all students 16 and older on May 6. 38 students donated blood.

We partner with the community blood center and they send us all the advertising and supplies and everything that we need,” student council sponsor Laurie Hughes said. “Basically, student council tries to encourage people to donate with announcements and hanging up the posters and trying to get people to sign up at lunch. When people sign up, I put their appointments into the computer and then the day of the blood drive student council helps with the recovery table and checking people in.”

Sophomore student council representative Sam McGuire enjoyed helping with the blood drive.

““[Student Council] sat around and waited on the people that were giving blood to see if they were okay after, we gave them snacks and made sure they were okay, made sure the didn’t pass out and it was a cool experience to be a part of,” McGuire said.

Sophomore Alyssa Wernimont donated blood.

“[Donating blood] was kind of a hard process, you have to have certain type of blood, you have to have certain weight and height and they have to make sure you don’t have viruses. It was really cool but it was a hard process to go through,” Wernimont said.

Wernimont decided to donate because of the effect it will have on others.

“I knew it was going to go to someone that needed it most and I can make my own new blood,” Wernimont said.

The blood drive will have a lasting impact on the community.

“The blood is necessary in emergency situations and they’re always in need of blood for various things,” Hughes said.

The blood drive has encouraged McGuire to donate in the future.

“I think although I’m afraid, it’s inspired me to give blood because it’s a good cause and a good opportunity,” McGuire said.