The scene in the auxiliary gym on Wednesday was not one for the faint of heart. Students sat in a small circle of chairs while they filled bags of blood that will be donated to the blood bank, Michigan Blood.

Anatomy teacher Todd Diederichsen understands the importance of blood donation.

“There is no substitute for blood,” Diederichsen said. “So when people need blood for surgeries or accidents, it can only come from the blood on the shelf, from people who have donated. If no one donates, more people die.”

About 100 students signed up to give blood, and a high number of students stuck to their decision.

“I really like doing it at the high school level, because a lot of kids are giving for the first time, and they seem more relaxed when they can do it with their friends,” Diederichsen said. “Our go al is to get them to give just once, and then perhaps they will like to come back on their own and give more often throughout the rest of their lives.”

Senior Izzy Primm is a repeat donor.

“I’ve given it through Michigan Blood five times, and through Red Cross two or three times,” Primm said.

Although she was not giving blood at this drive, she was giving her time at the table, watching over donors who just finished.

Primm knows the work she is doing is significant.

“I think it’s really important to donate blood, I have extra and other people need it,” Primm said.