On October 30th, Mountain View’s Health Occupation Students of America (or HOSA) club hosted its annual Halloween blood drive in true vampiric fashion. Both students and teachers showed up to donate with the American Red Cross, giving back to the community in one of the best and simplest of ways.

The turnout was incredible, with sixty people signed up to donate according to Dana Gonzalez, HOSA president, and one of the many people who helped organize the drive. She said that they had even more “people come in wanting to donate.”

Such incredible enthusiasm toward donating is vastly important, especially during the global pandemic as blood donations have dropped. But the American Red Cross has taken many precautions to ensure that its donors remain safe while donating. Masks are a must, and temperatures are checked to ensure that people are healthy enough to donate. They even do antibody testing so donors can see if they have Covid-19 antibodies.

After reading about said blood shortages, Rachel Mortensen came to donate at the drive. She explained that she donates because “it does so much more good than it does bad” and that “you’re changing someone’s life.”

Sharing this same outlook on the process, Britney Williams voiced that she found donating to be “a great way to serve and help out in a community.” And indeed it is. Blood donation is vital for people who need transfusions and is always in short supply.

For those terrified of donating, Joseph Merrill advocated for the cause, explaining that the phlebotomists take “good care of you.” He furthered this by stating that “it’s over before you know it.”

Thanks to the efforts of all those who participated in the blood drive, many lives have been potentially saved. Even if it’s scary or painful for just an instant, it’s worth it because, in the words of Isaac Young, “it’s eventually going to help someone.”