On October 31st, a spooky event was supposed to happen at Cannon Falls High School(CFHS). The Blood Drive. But unbeknownst to students, the school switched to online learning for October 30th and 31st, so students weren’t distracted by the roof renovation. As a result, the blood drive had to be moved. Moved to December 3rd, the blood drive managed to collect a total of 38 units to help those in need. There were many first-time blood givers, and a few who had already given blood in the past.
From the setup at 7:30 in the morning to the takedown during 7th period, the Minnesota Honor Society(MHS) members helped make the day run smoothly. Kirsten Hoffman, the supervisor for MHS, explains, “The MHS student volunteers took care of registration and the canteen, and did a super job helping Red Cross load in at 7 am and load out fast before the school buses needed to line up out front.”
Falon Hepola is the Blood Drive chairperson and the Historian for MHS in Cannon Falls. She’s been working on getting people to sign up during lunchtime; there was only one spot left open on the day of the drive. Forty-one people signed up to donate. Donating usually takes about thirty minutes–ten for waiting and the questions, ten to actually give, and ten to sit and make sure you’re fine after.
With two different types of donations, the blood drive was busy. There were spots for regular blood to be given and spots for power red donations. A power red donation is when, as they remove the blood, they separate out the plasma, platelets, and red blood cells. Donors who give power red donate two units of red blood cells, as the plasma and platelets that they are separated from are placed back into the body. This process takes longer than a regular donation, as the person is giving twice as many red blood cells compared to a normal donation, and they are given certain components of their blood back. Most students were fine, though the school nurse and blood drive staff had to help a few to feel better after giving blood.
Holly Winget, an English teacher at CFHS, gives blood every year. She plans an easy day for herself after she gives blood, leaving students to do much of their work by themselves. She tells her students who are giving blood to eat well and drink plenty of water beforehand to make it easier and faster. Winget elucidates, “I felt great, and the blood technicians are very skilled. I barely felt the insertion and didn’t even notice the removal.”
This blood drive was a huge success, and the next blood drive at the Cannon Falls High School is planned for February 24th of 2026.
