Want a free T-shirt?

Well, the first blood drive of the year will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held in the south gym and all participants will receive a free T-shirt just for donating! Throughout the year, each time you donate, you will receive a different prize.

This week, English classes had Central Blood Bank representatives come in to talk about the value of donating blood. They handed out orange forms to sign up to donate as well.

Walk-ins are welcome, but if you prefer to schedule an appointment, please turn in your orange slip to the office by the end of the school day on Friday.

If you choose to participate, make sure you eat breakfast and lunch and bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. Additionally, please be well rested, wear comfy clothing, and bring some sort of photo ID.

There are some conditions that may restrict you from donating for a length of time.

Some reasons include:

• If you have traveled to an area of the world where Malaria is present
• If you have gotten a tattoo in the past 12 months
• If you have given yourself a piercing in the past 12 months
• If you are taking some certain medications

Despite many advances in the health field, there is still no replacement for human blood, and that is why the Central Blood Bank needs your help. Collected blood is not shipped across the country either; it is utilized only in our region which needs about 500 donors per day to ensure that everyone who needs blood is able to get it.

Donating blood just once is able to save up to three lives.

Last school year, BPHS was one of the top 20 donating organizations for the Pittsburgh Area Central Blood Bank, and we hope to keep it up this year.

Michele Eiler, the PACS Blood Drive Chairperson said, “Our expectations are to receive at least 100 units of blood at each of the four blood drives. Last year, we exceeded that goal so this year we are trying to do it again.”

For those who are nervous about donating blood for the first time, Eiler says, “I think everyone that is able to give blood should at least try it once. There are doctors on site that take care of anyone who may have a negative reaction to giving, but as long as you eat and drink before and after giving, you will be just fine.”

So this Tuesday, head down to the South gym to help save a life.