The 2017 TAHS/HOSA Blood Drive was held on October 5th in the Tyrone High School gym. About 40 students signed up from the high school, and five walk-ins from the community.

“Although we had around 45 people willing, some were unable to donate,” said HOSA adviser Christie Taylor, “There were complications with some of the applicants, not turning in permission slips, having a sporting event later that day, tattoos and/or piercings that were less than a year old, low iron levels, or not feeling well on donation day.”

Other students wanted to make a difference but did not meet the requirements. Females have to weigh at least 110 pounds and all donors have to be 16 years of age or older to even be considered.

This year the Blood Drive was run by HOSA instead of Student Council.

The people who receive the blood are not the only ones who will benefit from the drive. Several students from HOSA had the opportunity to job shadow throughout the day.

The American Red Cross staff that were working were very helpful, polite, and informative to the donors and student observers.

“At the end of the day, we received 23 units of blood, not quite reaching our goal of 34 units,” said Taylor. “It was an uneventful blood drive, in a good way…”