Features: A Message from Claes Nobel Advisory Board Highlight - Tyra Banks High School Highlight Partner News College-Bound Advice A Senior's Words of Wisdom for the College Application Process Internships from a Student's Perspective Learn to Earn ABCs on the SAT Spotlight on Service Tsunami Relief: How You Can Help Red Cross: Give the Gift of Life--Every Drop Counts Students Follow Their Passion -- Taking Advantage of Special Opportunities People to People: An Adventure of a Lifetime The Joy of Journalism Adventure in the Alps: Summer in Switzerland Overcoming Challenges Coping with Change: Coming to America Struggling with Scoliosis: Obstacles into Opportunities Overcoming Personal Affliction Red Cross: Give the Gift of Life--Every Drop Counts By Yvonne Coulombe Hudson Catholic High School, Class of 2006 Marlborough, Massachusetts Many people claim that the reason why they've never given blood is simply because they've "never been asked." Well, for those of you reading this, you've just been put on the hook. Thousands of unfortunate accidents occur each year, accidents that require blood transfers in order for the victims to even catch a glimpse of survival. Unfortunately, not all patients are able to obtain the blood needed, causing unnecessary deaths that could have easily been prevented. Today, in a world filled with need, teenagers are very familiar with the words "Give back to your community"; yet, how many of us actually do? "I'm just one person,'" you say, "How can I change my community?" Now answer this, and be truthful. How many times have you have walked by a sign for a Red Cross Blood drive and not even given it a second thought? You probably do this more often than you realize. Is it really that difficult to take one step into a building, fill out a form, close your eyes, feel a pinch, and save someone's life? At Hudson Catholic High School in Marlborough, Massachusetts, which I am attending for my third year, giving blood is an opportunity many of the students, faculty, and even parents take advantage of. Even students who are under seventeen, and therefore too young to actually give blood, still find ways to help out. Whether it be distributing signs, handing out forms, checking people in, or setting up their beds, any of these jobs is as helpful as the next. Although the aforementioned jobs are important, the sole purpose of a blood drive is to donate blood for those in need. Hudson Catholic High School Students Volunteer with the Red Cross What are people so afraid of? In a word: pain. "Why would I go through pain in order to save somebody else? They probably won't even use my blood anyway." Despite what people might assume, the process is not painful, and believe it or not, the need for blood has increased by nearly 200% since 1990, every drop counts. Even better, once it's over with, you'll feel so great about what you did, that the tiny pinch and quarter sized Band-aid won't even matter. You, yes you, will have just saved somebody's life. So for those of you who have been waiting for an invitation to volunteer at your local Red Cross Blood Drive, consider yourself asked. << Back to Journal Home page