NHS Blood Drive Tradition Returns to North Marion

By Jillian Daley

During the North Marion High School National Honor Society Blood Drive on Nov. 30, 51 people gave blood, each donating a pint to the American Red Cross.

The Blood Drive wouldn’t have been a success without the 19 people who volunteered to make it happen. For their efforts, the NHS members who organized the event will be rewarded with $500 in club funds, a thank-you from the Red Cross. NHS Adviser Patricia McClintock was clear that the main focus of the event was about saving lives, not raising funds, and NHS members, many of whom participate in multiple student service clubs, understood that.

“As clubs, we try our best to give back to the community that supports us,” said Yadira Romero Navarro, NHS member, ASB President, MEChA President, Key Club Vice President, Yearbook Lead Editor, and FBLA Service Coordinator. “Not only does it provide a service opportunity for us students, but the community benefits from it as well.”

If you didn’t get the chance to donate life-saving blood to support the wide community this time, you will have another opportunity. The recent NHS Blood Drive was only open to students ages 16 and older and staff. However, NHS members are planning to host another blood drive on May 16, and the organization hopes to be able to open the next event to the public.

McClintock said that blood drives have always been a tradition for the North Marion NHS.

“Blood drives were a big event for NHS pre-COVID, and we are very excited to bring them back and, hopefully, grow the number of donors in the future,” McClintock said.

That’s good news for the Red Cross, which is facing a nationwide blood shortage. It’s also great news for North Marion, providing students with opportunities to learn about giving back. 

Soon, even more students will be afforded that chance, as NHS will be inducting juniors and seniors into the group this winter. NHS offers other opportunities for students, as well.

“Blood drives are our main event, but we hope to provide support in the way of guest speakers for our NHS members that might be helpful to plan for their next steps after high school,” McClintock said.

For more information about NHS, email McClintock at trisha.mcclintock@nmarion.k12.or.us.

For more information about the Red Cross, please visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767. 

To share story ideas on the North Marion School District, please email Communications Specialist Jillian Daley at jillian.daley@nmarion.k12.or.us.