Blood Donation
Claudia Lam 5E
The Blood Donation is an annual event whereby older students, those over 16, may donate their blood to help people in need. This year, it took place on 18th January in Delia’s Hall.
Students entered the hall looking nervous and excited, but before giving blood they first had to undergo several tests to see if they were eligible to give blood. Not only did the tests determine which blood group they were, and this year the Red Cross was looking particularly for some of the rarer blood types, but they were also done to check that the blood was of the right consistency. It would be no good at all to give an ill person a blood transfer that was lacking in some vital minerals! Fortunately, however, it seemed that everyone had extremely good quality blood!
The idea of giving the sick a helping hand and even, perhaps, save some lives, dominated our thoughts and helped us to overcome the pain from the needles. Everyone was very brave, managing to overcome the slight dizziness associated with the transfer of blood, and only moments later there were happy, laughing and smiling faces everywhere in the hall.
Many expressed that they felt like they had made a real contribution to society and said that they had already made a mental note to donate blood again in the following year. It was very touching to have seen so many Hopers walk into the Delia’s Hall with the common goal to save lives.
It was only later that we heard the wonderful news that we had actually broken the record! This year Good Hope had provided 125 blood donors, the most donors ever. We all felt very proud to have been part of this and felt even more certain that we were going to make a difference to many people’s lives. Let’s hope that the spirit to help and serve one another will always be with Good Hopers always!
