Students donate blood

Donors give blood to OBI

By Tyler

Students at Jones High School gave blood to help people in need on Wednesday, December 15.

The blood donated to the Oklahoma Blood Institute will help people that need transfusions, suffer from burns or are being treated for trauma. The OBI is a statewide non-profit blood center that provides blood to patients in more than 150 hospitals.

OBI supervisor Mylene Poblete said the whole process of screening, prepping and taking blood usually lasts about 30 minutes, but actually taking blood only lasts a few minutes. After giving blood, donors received a free t-shirt along with snacks and drinks to refuel from the blood loss.

During the screening process donors are asked about medical conditions, anywhere they have traveled and other questions to ensure their blood is safe to use. Junior Sydney was not able to give blood after the supervisors of the drive had found out that she had gotten her ears pierced recently. “I hadn’t given blood before and was disappointed when I wasn’t able to with my friends,” Sydney said.

Along with the screening, donors have to weigh at least 125 pounds if they are under 18 or 110 pounds if they are older than 18 to make sure it’s safe for blood to be taken.

Senior Yanci donated blood and said, “It doesn’t really hurt and it feels good to help.”

The supervisors of the drive expected to get at least 25 pints before they left and already had 23 pints halfway through the drive.

Students donate blood to save lives

By Kyle

Students at JHS gave blood to the Oklahoma Blood Institute on Wednesday, December 5, for people in need.

The blood donated will go to patients such as those suffering from trauma burns or needing transfusions, said OBI supervisor Mylene Poblete. Poblete also said the screening process and paperwork takes about 45 minutes. However, it takes only a few minutes to give blood.

During the screening process potential donors are asked questions such as where they have traveled and what kind of medication they’re taking.  Donors must also weigh at least 125 pounds and be 16 years old with parental consent to give blood.

Senior Yanci gave blood and said that it didn’t hurt too badly, although she felt a little dizzy. Moreland also said, “It made me feel good to give to the patients in need.”

Junior Sydney said she could not give blood because she had her ears pierced less than a year ago and it was not in a sterilized environment. She said she was disappointed she did not pass the screening.  “It was something new I wanted to try,” said Sydney about giving blood. “I was disappointed when I couldn’t.”

The representatives for OBI were expecting 25 pints of blood by the end of the day.   By the middle of the day they already had 23.