BY MARSHALL SCOTT AND MIA CALIVA

Citrus Valley junior students Rylie Grames and Riley Brossia posing before a poster which reads “I saved a life” at the CV biannual blood drive (Mia Caliva/Ethic News Photo).

Every school year semester, Citrus Valley high school hosts a blood drive. The CV Associative student body had been advertising the blood drive on their official Instagram account. The blood drive ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 4 in the school gymnasium.

Blood donations are typically a process in which a licensed staff will first clean the area where they insert the sterile needle to collect blood. The process typically takes about 8-10 minutes. During this time you will be sitting down while the staff takes a pint of your blood. After the donation has been made, the staff will bandage you up and you are given water and a snack to regain energy. 

The blood drive is being run by LifeStream, a nonprofit blood bank in the state of California, who aims to collect 500 blood donations daily to help patients in need. They provide 80 different hospitals and six medical facilities in Southern California. They have donor sites in San Bernardino, Riverside, Hemet, Placentia, Ontario, Victorville, Murrieta, La Quinta, and Rancho Mirage. 

For weeks approaching the blood drive, ASB advertises the blood drive in the daily morning bulletin as well. As encouragement to students signing up, ASB says “this is a time to do some good in our community and help those in need.” 

When asked the question, “Why do you think donating blood is a good thing to do” ASB Director, Christopher Galloway said, “Well I think it’s kind of something you can do for your community. It’s almost like a civic duty at some level. We all need to give back to the community. Some people can give back in other ways that some people can’t. I think giving blood is a great way to help people that need it the most.”

A sign that reads “Blood drive enter here” which lets students know that they have to check in and wait to be called back. (Marshall Scott/Ethic News Photo)

Students who are giving blood have to feel well before donations, have to maintain high iron levels, be at least 17 years or have parental consent, haven’t donated in 58 days and weigh up to or more than 110 pounds. 

Blood donors were given prizes for their generous donations and students also received Community Service credit if they brought their Community Service Form. Lifestream provided each donor with a coupon for two free tacos at fast food restaurant Jack in the Box, along with a Lifestream branded towel saying “Thank you” for their donation.

Sophomore ASB student, Zane Palacios and Freshman ASB student, Tegan Naoum pose in front of their snack stand students can grab on their way out. (Mia Caliva//Ethic News)