BEFORE YOU READ | In order to save lives and spread awareness for those in need of blood, Student Association held their annual blood drive with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan on Nov. 12. The blood drive collected 28 units of blood. With each unit saving three lives, Norsemen were able to come together and save 84 lives across Metro Detroit.
WHAT GOES AROUND | Students and teachers may donate blood for many different personal reasons. For senior Jackson Shepherd, his motivation to donate is to aid him in keeping a good conscience. “It felt normal donating because I always do it every year if I can,” Shepherd said. “It's important to donate because you can always get it back and other people may need it more. I want to help people anyway I can and get off some bad karma.”
PHOTO: Michael Roustemis
PREPPED FOR ACTION | One of the nurses employed by Versiti, Brittany Bautista, emphasizes the importance of preparing yourself to safely donate blood. “You should drink extra water for five days before you come in and donate,” Bautista said. “Make sure you eat a good meal before you donate, and make sure that you're in good health before you come in.”
PHOTO: Michael Roustemis
A BLOOD BONDED FAMILY | Blood drives have become a tradition in the North community, and those who donate have Student Association Adviser Jonathan Byrne’s admiration. “It also helps students feel a sense of community and responsibility to look out for others, " Byrne said. “I tell everyone who even tries to donate that they are a hero. And I mean it.”
PHOTO: Michael Roustemis
SITTING AT THE FRONT LINE | The blood drive is led and organized by the Student Association and President Cara Kaslatas helped the event run safely and smoothly.” The day of the blood drive we have people working the sign in for each hour where we sign in the people who have appointments and also help check in the walk-ins we get,” Kaslatas said. “We also help work the snack tables to make sure they're not getting dizzy or sick.”
PHOTO: Donell James
EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE | Emphasizing how the process of giving blood is routine and straightforward, nurse Brittany Bautista assists in the screening process of students wanting to donate. “So you'll go through the screening process, and get your vitals taken to make sure it's safe and good for you to donate blood,” Bautista said. “Then they'll have you come over to a phlebotomy chair and they'll do that process. That process takes about 15 minutes, altogether probably 40 to 45 minutes.”
PHOTO: Donell James
YOUNG HEROES | Senior Wesley Ramsey learned at a young age that donating blood is important because his mother and grandmother both donated blood. “Donating blood is crucial as it’s a practice that ensures that anybody in the case of an emergency can be given the correct treatment,” Ramsey said. “It doesn't just help others, but you someday could end up needing blood and be saved by a donor.”
PHOTO: Michael Roustemis