National Honor Society’s (NHS) annual Blood Drive is set for Wednesday, October 18th. Members from Penrose-St. Francis Health Services will be running it from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The blood donated will go to help many people in need.

Students who are interested must meet a few requirements in order to donate. First and foremost, there is an age requirement of 16 and a weight requirement of at least 110 pounds. It’s asked that donors eat within two hours of donating and it’s required to drink 16 ounces of water that is provided by Penrose Health Services. Donors must also pass a basic health and lifestyle screening.

Regardless if students are 16 or not, a permission slip must be signed by a parent or legal guardian if the donor is under 18. They must also provide a valid drivers permit, license, or a state ID. Amanda Kerrigan, the new advisor for NHS, has permission slips available in her classroom. In order to sign up for the drive, see Kerrigan to request a time of the day to donate and turn in the signed permission slip.

The drive is primarily planned by Sage Stevens (12). She’s been a member of NHS since her sophomore year and is now the President of the club. “The one thing I want people to know most is the impact they can make by donating blood,” said Stevens. “Especially in times like these, with all of the most recent events that have happened throughout the country.”

With all this considered, the annual MSHS Blood Drive will help improve people’s lives, and possibly also save them. Though none of this would be possible if it weren’t for the collaboration and work between members of NHS and Penrose-St. Francis.