On Monday, students waited patiently seated outside tents to get their blood drawn at Foothill’s annual Blood Drive. Once they had their blood drawn, students were offered high sugar treats like Oreos and cranberry juice to replenish themselves.

On Monday, students waited patiently seated outside tents to get their blood drawn at Foothill’s annual Blood Drive. Once they had their blood drawn, students were offered high sugar treats like OREOs and cranberry juice to replenish themselves.

Blood donations have a considerable impact on people’s lives. According to Donor Recruitment Officer Maricela Guerrero, one donation can save “up to three lives.”  

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In order to donate blood, students had to be at least 16 years old and were required to have a guardian’s signature.

Students signed up to donate blood the week before with the Associated Student Body (ASB) in the front of the quad. Junior Troy Lindemann found the experience to be “weird.”

“Just to think that was just inside of me and now it’s not,” Lindemann said.

Unlike previous years, United Blood Services (UBS) hosted the event instead of The Red Cross.

The UBS differs from the Red Cross in where they send the blood that they draw. The UBS supplies blood to the local hospitals of Ventura whereas blood donations to the Red Cross get shipped nationwide.

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Before students were allowed to have their blood drawn, they were asked questions by health professionals. These questions were set up as a precaution to prevent people from donating blood that would not be healthy if  it were to be transfused into a patient in need. If students failed the question screening they were sent back to class.

After the questionnaire, students had their blood drawn by trained professionals. Finished with their donation, students were free to treat themselves to sugary treats and drinks provided by UBS. Students were required to stay around the blood drive site for seven minutes before they could return to their class as a precaution.

“I just hope everyone could donate so that we don’t have a shortage,” Guerrero said.