Blood drive sponsored by the KHS National Honor Society …??
It happens twice a year in the fall and spring, KHS students and faculty along with members of the community line up to donate blood. {{more: continue …}}?
It is just something they do, not really considering the impact that they may have on others. The students are mostly juniors and seniors. Some do it just to get out of class. For many, it is the first time to donate and it is scary, even for the 250 lbs football player, though he won?t admit it.
?
15 years and more …?
?
For at least the past 15 years, this has happened. Exact years are hard to pinpoint, it may be as much 30 to 40 years, as some recall that in the 1980?s, there was a once a year drive on the campus. In recent years, it has been under the sponsorship of student organizations. First it was of the KHS Key Club and faculty sponsor Mrs. Janek. Later it was the KHS National Honor Society (NHS) and faculty sponsor Mrs. Ruth Whorley. For the last 14 years, NHS sponsor Mr. Chriss Burke has had the honor of working with the drive.
?
Burke estimates that between 100 to 200 pints of blood have been donated each of those 14 years, though the numbers have decreased in recent years. Last summer, they held a drive that helped the overall total.
?
6,750 lives impacted ?
?
If you use the 15 years figure and 150 pints a year as as average, this would mean 2,250 pints of blood have been donated over that period of time. This is the equivalent of 281 gallons of blood or in Carter Blood Center parlance that amount of blood has supported or saved 6,750 lives (1 pint = 3 lives) or 450 individuals per year.?
The donation by the students is a small thing in their lives which are full of school work along with other activities i.e. sports, band, choir and/or work. But for those who do, a thanks is warranted for a small act of kindness that will mean much to some unknown person.
?
Walk-ins welcomed …
?
If you would like to give, the drive continues until 3 p.m. today at Kennedale High School. Community donations are appreciated.?
Comments are closed.