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Devils' Advocate

The news site of Hinsdale Central High School

Devils' Advocate

The news site of Hinsdale Central High School

Devils' Advocate

BPA coordinates blood drive

BPA+coordinates+blood+drive+

Continuing its tradition, Business Professionals of America (BPA) hosted its annual blood drive on Nov. 8 in the field house. This year, BPA coordinated the service project with the aid of LifeSource Chicago, a different organization than those previously used by BPA. This new organization set even more ambitious goals for the blood drive, and once again, BPA was able to surpass its goals with nearly 200 people participating in the blood drive either by volunteering or giving blood.

All students above the age of 16 were eligible to donate their blood. And many students, wanting to assist those needing nutrient-rich blood, have become two- and three-time donors, helping out each of the past few years. “I donated last year and this year. I donated a pint of blood each time,” said Dave Lorenc, senior.

BPA applies an assembly-line method to organize the blood drive. All members are required to contribute to the coordination of the blood drive, and blood-drive preparations occurred in steps. First, signs and promotions were placed throughout the school. Then, students had an opportunity to sign up to reserve a spot. BPA members subsequently worked to look up student identification numbers and schedules to facilitate communication. Finally, BPA members helped run the blood drive.

“After walking down to the field house, I signed in and was handed some paperwork, which certified that I hadn’t left the country or contracted any diseases,” Lorenc said. Support for the drive was so high that some interested students had to be turned away. Each and every spot was filled by the club, which led to a busy day for volunteers. The pandemonium was further escalated by the third-period fire alarm, which interrupted blood extractions.

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Even with the mid-day fire alarm, BPA coordinated a successful event that was once again able to top the previous years’ goals. “Three gallons a minute are needed by American hospitals to keep people alive, and 4.5 million lives are saved annually by blood donations. I felt like donating blood was the least I could do,” Lorenc said.

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