Natalie Margasak (284)

A beloved day by many who, in lieu of class, enjoy fruit snacks and Cheez-Its on foam mats in the dance gym; blood drives are also a day of life-saving. This year’s third blood drive took place on a snowy February, 12th; however, the Blood Drive committee was not daunted by the prospect of operating under a 2-hour delay schedule. You might have noticed this year’s blood drive committee members positioned next to the metal detectors when arriving at school. You might have even been hassled into the dance gym or wrestling gym to donate before the 10:00 bell even rang. However, you also might not know the extent of the hard work and effort that goes into making one of these logistical nightmares a well-ordered reality.

A little sleet and ice was nothing compared to the persistence of this year’s Blood Drive Committee. Consistent efforts from the committee and their sponsor, Mr. Horowitz has produced three successful blood drives this year. Co-chair Harley Shur (284) said that the most gratifying part of the process is “to hear at the end how many pints we donate.” This year it’s 69. Making a donation involved missing a period or two of class, getting blood pressure and finger-prick-hemoglobin tests taken, and then lying down on one of the Red Cross tables to get blood drawn. 

Savannah Sandhaus (284), one of the senior committee- members, was busy at the sign-in station and didn’t get a chance to donate till the absolute last second. She was “literally the last one on the table as they started packing up around [her].” Though donating in a deserted room may seem scary, Savannah held the hand of Neematalah Yusuff (284), another senior committee member, for comfort. Savannah now thinks “everyone should have a hand holder” as was done in years past: a fun addition that may be implemented in time for this year’s last drive. 

Hopefully, as you walked past, you caught a glimpse of the blood drive’s beloved mascot, Drippy the Blood Drop, this year brought to life by Chris Misko (284). Whether inside a sweaty red drop costume, signing people in or out of the dance gym, or heckling all over the age of 16 in the hallways to donate, this year’s senior committee has done a fantastic job organizing the drives. 

Blood drives at Central are a part of the larger concerted effort of the Red Cross in gathering and distributing blood to be used in surgeries, transplants, and transfusions, across the country. They are also a great display of the Central spirit: one of helping those in need and being an active member of the school community. Central is at its best on the day of the Blood Drive: with a pleasant atmosphere of milling students, static love tunes playing from an old karaoke microphone, and teacher and student alike coming together to contribute to a larger cause.