On Monday, Nov. 30,  many students participated in the annual fall blood drive .The drive is held by Virginia Blood Services (VBS), which is a nonprofit provider of blood products to area hospitals. When people donate blood with VBS, they are supporting patients in need every day all across Virginia. To donate blood you must be in good health, 16 years old or older and you must weigh at least 110 pounds. At HHS, that means mostly juniors or seniors are able to give blood.

Junior Abrianna Castro gave blood today for the first time.

“Anything to help save people’s lives I’m up for,” Castro said, “It doesn’t really have a special meaning to me, but I’ve always wanted to try it, so why not?”

Junior Athena Benton also donated some of her blood for the drive.

“I was a little nervous, but not really,” Benton said, “They initially prick your finger to test if your blood is good for donating, which (feels) like getting an ear piercing. The needle feels about the same,”

This is Benton’s first time donating blood as well.

“I knew I had O type blood, which is considered the universal donor blood, so I felt like giving some of my blood to save someone’s life was worth it and I wanted to help someone who would need it,” Benton said. “[Donating blood] felt really good! I really hope it’s going to someone who needs it, even if I will never know who it is.”

Gallery • 5 Photos

Anna Rath

Junior Abrianna Castro giving blood at the annual fall blood drive.