Radford’s Health Occupations for Students of America collaborated with Christine Christe to manage the school’s upcoming blood drives. Blood donation should be advocated in order to persuade people to donate and help save lives. Blood donations are an imperative concern based on the shortage of active blood donors, so HOSA will help hold the four blood drives every school year, encouraging others to donate blood in order to supply to those in desperate need.

“Blood is important and it is always in high demand, but hardly anyone takes the time to donate,” said  Samantha Nagtalon (12), HOSA president. “That’s why I encourage anyone who is able to donate blood to do so because just one pint can save up to three lives.”

Nagtalon works alongside Shanna Francisco (12) and Rashelle Bumanglag (12) as the blood drive chairs, to see that the drive is organized.

“Being one of the blood drive chairs is an incredible responsibility and that’s why there are two of us,” Francisco said. “There are so many people involved because we need a lot of resources to make sure the drive goes smoothly as much as possible.”

Tons of work goes into planning a blood drive starting off with just informing classmates of its existence, so the HOSA team works together closely raising awareness across the school. They have been off to a busy start promoting the blood drive by advertising during the Welcome Back Assembly as well as through the morning bulletin on RamPage-TV.  

Francisco, Bumanglag, and Nagtalon work together often to get the student body involved with the blood drive.

“We’ve asked for incoming HOSA members to recruit more blood donors in addition to the HOSA officers presenting in different classes to gain awareness,” Francisco said.

HOSA encourages students to donate blood, and for better preparation, Nagtalon gives some information and advice first.

Nagtalon warns that all considering donating blood should check the requirements.

“First off, [those who want to give blood] should check the basic requirements,” Nagtalon said. “They must be in good health and for men, and they must be at least 5’0 and weigh 110 lbs. For women, there is a chart that has the height-to-weight requirements that they can look at.” 

Unfortunately, many don’t meet the requirements due to being underweight or iron deficient, so Xandria Roquid (12) encourages those who are able to donate to do so.

“If you meet all the requirements then donate,” she said. “You never know whose life you might save and there are others who want to donate but can’t, so do it in their place. It’s something so easy to do but yet impactful in a way.”