On Feb. 15, Judge hosted its second Red Cross Blood Drive of the year. 

“Every two seconds blood is needed, and if you don’t have blood people can die,” stated Brandy Wood, a team supervisor with the Red Cross. “Every blood type is vital to a patient in need. Depending on your blood type might determine what product we ask you to donate, such as O blood types we might ask you to do a power red cell procedure and AB we would consider for platelets.”

Wood explained that after the blood is drawn, it is taken to various labs to be tested, and later distributed to wherever it is needed. “Depending on the need it (the blood donations) could stay here in Utah–or it could go nationally.” The blood donated is transferred to twenty-six local hospitals and throughout the country.

She encourages teenagers to donate blood. “The need for blood is always constant, and there is nothing quite like knowing that you are a small piece in a larger picture that can help save multiple lives.” Blood drives like these allow for students to help their communities and introduce them to donating blood. 

Although the response was positive with over 20 students donating, some students are still a little afraid of giving blood.

Wood’s advice: “Don’t overthink it. You can help somebody.”