WOODBURY – The national blood shortage has hit hospitals hard this year. The American Red Cross has reported a 25% drop in blood supply since the beginning of this August. That’s where Nonnewaug students step in to help with the first of the school’s regular blood drives.

The first thing that pops up when one enter the Red Cross’ website is the need for blood due to a shortage. Erica Seitz, a phlebotomist for the American Red Cross, voiced her concern about the shortage. 

“We are in a blood shortage,” Seitz said. “It actually picked up during COVID: People were bored and wanted to help, so they came and donated. But in the summer, it slowed down a lot. Our blood drives have been slow. We always have a goal for 20 donors; sometimes we get 15, sometimes we get 30. The need is definitely out there.”

Samantha Kostka and Kyleigh Paige, both juniors at Nonnewaug, donated during the September blood drive. They both have similar views on why their fellow students should donate their time and blood while the blood drive is in town. 

“As an O-negative blood type, I feel responsible to give my universal [donor] blood,” Paige said. “It’s important to give blood, seeni g as so little really do.”

“I think giving blood is really important and a lot of people don’t give it,” Kostka said, “so I think it is my job to help others, seeing as other people don’t.”

Melissa Hodges, a science teacher at the school, believes that donating blood is “minimal effort for such a large impact.”

Many people don’t realize how many uses blood has in healthcare settings. It is used for more than just serious injuries; surgeries, anemia, blood disorders, childbirth, cancer treatments, and much more require lifesaving blood. 

“I’m currently battling breast cancer and my aunt is currently battling throat cancer,” said Hodges. “Every time we are there [in the hospital], we always hear about the huge need for blood. Thankfully we haven’t needed the blood transfusions, but I know they need it.”

Just one pint of blood can save three lives, so if people donated every time they are eligible each year, each person would be able to save 18 lives each year. 

Many people believe that their blood is not valuable because it is not O-negative, but every single blood type is needed and is extremely important to help the community. 

“Just do it; try it once, if you don’t like it, don’t do it again,” says Kostka. “But it doesn’t take much to help.”