The Blood Drive took place today on April 25, 2012 in the small gym at Lewis-Palmer High School. Many students and parents are coming in all day long to donate a pint of their blood to the community.

The process of donating blood takes about an hour total including the recovery time. The forms have basic information and questions required to donate blood, simple things such as having piercings or previously donating blood at a different time.

Phlebotomist’s Paula Harley, Sheree Sanchez and Cathy Bolsinger were all a part of the process. Going over forms and questioning the volunteers on their previous history is a very important part of what they do. Their job is to make sure that the blood being donated is clean and not infected in any way with HIV or AIDS.

“My job makes me feel good overall. I get to save people’s lives every day when I think about it because whenever someone needs blood we have it and can give it to them right away whether it be a new born baby or a cancer patient,” Sanchez said.

Penrose Hospital’s blood bank is shared around the state as well as other blood banks giving their blood to Penrose to ensure that whenever blood is needed people will be able to get it.

“Doctors haven’t been able to come up with any artificial form of blood so when people donate that’s all we get. It is so important for donors to come because one person’s pint of blood can go to three separate people in need,” Harley said.

Many of our 18 year old students participated in this event as well as students 16 and 17 years of age with parental consent.

“I feel a little tired but pretty good about helping people in my community,” junior Cheryl Donaldson said.

The Penrose Blood Drive has been a success over the years and continues to be one this year. The Colorado community will benefit greatly from Lewis-Palmer High School’s generosity.