Red Cross Blood Drive collects 99 units from students and staff

Brittany Park

Meredith Bowers, senior, donates blood for the second time this year. WLHS students and staff gave 99 units of blood total, potentially saving up to 297 lives.

Over 100 students, teachers and phlebotomists filed into West Linn High School’s gym on Wednesday Feb. 25, to donate blood to the Red Cross Blood Drive. Throughout the span of the school day, 99 students and staff members donated.

This blood drive was focused by WHS to honor the recent death of Cooper Hill and Antonio Caballero, juniors. If students or staff members wished, they could donate in honor of Hill and Caballero. Cards were also available for them to sign to send to the families.

“I think it was a great idea to have the opportunity for students to sign cards for the families,” Julia Webster, junior, said.

After excluding students and staff who were not able to donate for various reasons, the 99 who remained exceeded the Red Cross Club’s goal of 96 donations. The next blood drive is scheduled to be held sometime in October. Both the students and the phlebotomists are looking forward to the upcoming drive.

“I think the blood drive this year was flawless and everything went according to plan,” Maddie Davis, junior and Red Cross Club member, said.

Anna-Maria junior and president of the Red Cross Club, also agreed that “everything was great and [she] wouldn’t change anything about it.”

“I think that whether you volunteered, donated or were there for support the drive was a gratifying experience,” Julia Mogen, junior and member of the Red Cross Club, said.