By Emme Hogge, Managing Editor and Grace Gollihur, News Editor
On Sept. 19, El Camino held the biannual blood drive for students to donate blood. This event has been a tradition at EC for many years, and is a great way to give students the opportunity to become a part of the millions of donors every year that save lives.
EC Student Government worked with Vitalant to make this event possible. Vitalant is a non-profit organization that collects blood from volunteers and then provides blood, blood products and certain medical services all around the country. They have about 125 locations for volunteers to donate blood across the US.
Student Government Advisor Sara Turner explained the process of coordinating, which begins a year in advance.
“We pick a date with the school and with [Vitalant], then they send us the appointment times and we have people sign up,” she explained.
Each year, Vitalant brings out a bus with donation stations inside. Prior to the blood drive, students can sign up for an appointment at the quad. Students under 16 must fill out a waiver to be signed by their parents or guardian, which is brought back the day of the appointment.
Arkin Bundalian (‘24) donated blood at the Blood Drive. Bundalain explained that his blood type is one of the most common types, which is one reason he decided to donate.
“It saves lives—it’s super important for us to donate,” Bundalian said.
Bundalian has donated blood twice at EC. He said that he heard about the blood drive through many posters around school, and that he plans to donate again next year.
Students are rewarded with a free t-shirt after their donation, as well as snacks if needed.
Volunteers and Vitalant employees encourage students to come out and donate if they can. The next blood drive will be held on Feb. 14, 2024, and students can contact Turner if they wish to donate.
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