HOSA hosts annual blood drive

Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) is promoting one of its three annual blood drive by Cascade Regional Blood Services happening Friday, Nov. 14.
HOSA signs students who are 16 years of age or older up to give blood for a good cause. The Red Cross says that approximately 5 million people in the United States need blood every year. The donated blood goes to the Cascade Regional Blood Bank for testing and storage after donation.
Senior Emily Olson is the president of HOSA and has been a part of the club for three years.
“[HOSA] got to tour the blood bank a few months ago and we got to see what they do with the blood and the long process it goes through in order to verify that it is good and able to be transfused into patients. We also learned that babies are most in need of blood,” Olson said.
In the past three years HOSA has met the donation goals for the blood drive. HOSA helps with three blood drives a year.
Senior Hailey Allen has been an active participant in HOSA for three years.
“Cascade really appreciates it because a lot of their blood comes from high school drivers and in the years I have done it, we have always reached our donor goal,” Allen said. “Just one donation helps out a lot because it can save the lives of three babies, which I find amazing because only one pint can do so much.”