Friday, May 24, Ida B. Wells High School played host to yet another Red Cross blood drive. Students and adult volunteers manned the impromptu reception desk just inside the entrance to the gymnasium, and when I walked in 15 minutes into period 1, things were already in full swing.

After giving the volunteers at the desk my name and finishing the ‘Rapid Pass’ check-in, I was directed to a seat in the center of the gym to wait. It wasn’t long before my name was called and I approached the small booth occupied by a phlebotomist. They pricked my finger, asked me some questions, and determined that I was a suitable donor. I was directed toward the sandwich station to consume a simply delectable peanut butter and jelly sandwich, kindly provided by volunteer sandwich artists. With extra protein in my system, I was ready for the blood draw. 

I had been asked by one of the adult volunteers at the desk if I’d like to give a “double red” donation, a process also called apheresis in which a concentrated amount of red blood cells are collected and the plasma and platelets are returned into my body. In this way, they took twice as many red blood cells as usual! Due to the nature of apheresis, it required the use of a specialized machine and took longer than usual, but it was a unique experience that I would recommend to anyone eligible to donate this way. 

So why is donating blood important?

According to the American Red Cross, approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells, 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma are needed in the United States per day. This may seem like a profound amount, and it is. A car crash victim may require 100 units of blood, while sickle cell patients may require several transfusions every year. Cancer patients, who may not be able to produce their own platelets, require regular transfusions. Plasma can help burn patients maintain blood pressure and other vital functions.

To encourage people to donate, IBW and Lincoln High School worked together with the American Red Cross, which awards the Battle of the Birds trophy, a drop of blood, to the school that receives the most units of blood during their May blood drive. Since its introduction in 2023, Ida B. Wells has captured the revered trophy in consecutive years, boasting sole ownership of the blood drive winner in 2023 and 2024. 

Helen Mildenberger, a junior and president of the Ida B. Wells Red Cross, is no stranger to the American Red Cross and their frequent visits to the school. Restarting in Fall 2021 after COVID-19, IBW has played host to seven blood drives, typically hosted every year in Oct., Feb., and May. 

“A lot of people need blood. It’s a really vital resource for surgeries and other medical procedures. It’s important to donate because you can do it for free,” Mildenberger said. “I am really interested in the medical field… I’m really into the whole leadership aspect of it and really passionate about medicine.”