NHS Blood Drive Tuesday at OHS

The call for volunteer blood donors is out, and the Onaway High School National Honor Society is stepping up to do their part in supporting the cause. The NHS is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Onaway High School gymnasium.

It is reported that the national need for blood is up and the donor numbers are down. According to statistics, one blood donor can save up to four lives. For the last two weeks of December, 2,619 more units of blood were needed than were scheduled to be collected. The blood drive in Onaway is one way to make a donation.

The NHS members are looking forward to the event, and want to stress the importance and the convenience of donating. It usually takes one hour to donate blood and first timers are welcome. Due to the high demand, this is a perfect time to give back to society.

On average, four million pe

ople need blood each year ? that is one patient every 12 seconds. In Michigan, patients in hospitals use 2,000 units of blood products daily, or one unit every 43 seconds. With numbers like that, it is obvious why volunteer blood donors are needed.

However, there are several factors to consider if you are interested in donating your blood. A donor must be at least 17 years of age and a minimum of 110 pounds. Please bring your picture ID. An appointment is not needed, but if you would prefer to make one in order to donate blood on Tuesday, contact NHS advisor Penny James at (989) 733-4970, ext. 411.

If you cannot donate blood, you may also help out by donating cookies, which can be dropped off at any Onaway Area Community School office on Monday or Tuesday morning.