As humans, being afraid of something is normal, and many are scared of something, whether it is trying new things, going to the dentist, or even going skydiving! As people mature, many of those fears seem silly, and most just grow out of them, but some fears need to be faced head-on. One fear that has stuck with people the most is the fear of needles. According to Georgina Tiarks, author of the article What Is It, How It Is Managed, “More than 10% of people have a fear of needles.” So, how do those who have a fear of needles overcome it? One good way that is both effective and useful is giving blood!
There are many different opportunities to donate blood, but the most commonly known one is the American Red Cross Blood drive. According to the American Red Cross website, the Red Cross is an organization based solely on the mission to “provide a beacon of hope. From helping during disasters and ensuring access to lifesaving blood,” This organization also provides professional training to help save lives around the world. The Red Cross goes around the world providing blood and saving lives, but without the help of donors, it would not have any blood. (RedCrossBlood.org, 2025)
On November 18, 2025, Lewis Cass High School hosted its annual blood drive with 37 teachers and students pulling up their sleeves and donating for the cause. Some were even first-time donors! When Spanish teacher at Lewis Cass High School, Melinie Karmel, was asked how many times she had donated blood, she responded with “I have been giving blood since I was in high school,” and later on added, “I encourage anyone who can to give blood to do so-you can save a life!” She also helpfully mentioned, “It helps to drink a lot of water before and after you donate, and I don’t usually watch (the nurse) when they draw blood.”
It is incredibly important to donate blood because even a single pint can save someone else’s life. According to Paulette Sipe, a math teacher and National Honor Society sponsor here at Lewis Cass High School, the number of student donors this year decreased compared to previous years. This drop, she explained, makes it even more crucial for students to step up and participate so local hospitals can continue to meet the constant need for blood.
Giving blood might feel scary, but the people in hospitals who rely on those donations are facing something even scarier. The American Red Cross said, “Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets.” They also report that “approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S.” When you add that up, it is more than 10.5 million units of blood needed each year. With numbers such as these, it just shows how crucial every single donation can be. A single donation can save more than one life.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “One donation can save approximately three lives, but only 3% of age-able individuals will actually donate blood every year.” There are many reasons why someone would hold back from donating blood. Some people choose not to donate because they believe common myths about giving blood or simply do not know they are eligible. Well, luckily, all these questions can be answered.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, when the topic of blood donation comes up, most would probably think of a list of things, such as there is enough blood being donated already, or my blood type is not a demanding one, or even that I do not have enough time. When in reality, none of these reasons is accurate. According to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center website, there is, in fact, not only a shortage of all blood types, but there is a constant shortage of blood all year round. So, no matter what blood type a person has, it can all be used. When it comes to the concerns about time, both the Red Cross and the Miller-Keystone Blood Center explain that the actual blood donation takes only about 8 to 10 minutes, which is hardly unreasonable, especially when those few minutes can help save up to three lives.
As for donors who are unsure if they are eligible or not, the Red Cross website clearly states that to donate blood, a person must be feeling well, be 16+ years old, have a minimum weight of 110 lbs, and must fill out the questionnaire provided by the Red Cross before donating. All of these reasons might sound overwhelming at first. This is why several students from Lewis Cass High School were asked about their experiences donating blood for the first time and how they would encourage others to donate. Junior, Alana Fagan, said, “I felt fine, a little dizzy, but I just ate a few snacks afterwards,” and for some encouragement, she added, “I would say to anyone who is going to give blood to drink water! You need to be very hydrated to help with the blood flow and just to make everything go smoother.”
After hearing all of these encouraging words, and now knowing more information about how important this truly is, hopefully, some will consider signing up for the next blood drive.
