The new year was kicked off right with the second annual blood drive for the 2016-2017 school year. Former teacher Todd Diederichsen hosted and organized the blood drive event this past Saturday. The main organization, Michigan Blood, supplies the blood to hospitals throughout the state.

“We do three blood drives a year, two during the school day and one on a Saturday,” Diederichsen said. “Our next drive will be held Tuesday, Mar. 14, which will be the next and last.”

The Saturday turnout was unexpectedly low, with only 15 mL of blood collected out of Deiderichsen’s 30mL goal. Because the drive was scheduled on the weekend, many students may not feel the same initiative to attend the drive on their day off. However, Deiderichsen looks forward to a larger volunteer base to develop by the end of the year.

“Turnouts over the years, in my opinion are getting bigger,” Diederichsen said. “The third drive in the spring is always a lot bigger, and more kids are 16 by that time. More kids have heard about it throughout the year and are more apt to come out.”

Helping others in need isn’t the only benefit from continually showing up and donating blood. At graduation, if one student has given blood 6 times throughout their high school career, they are awarded a red honors cord.

“I love the fact that kids are so focused on grades, and they go to graduate, that they’re going to get that gold chord or that silver chord, or the bronze chord,” Diderichsen said. “Well, here is an opportunity for anybody to get an honors cord to wear for graduation.”

Senior Morgan Tiles has collectively cumulatively donated about one gallon of blood and plans to continue supporting those in need of it.

“Honestly, I think that a lot more kids should try giving blood. It’s really not as painful as everyone thinks it is,” Tiles said. “ In my opinion if they do it right it shouldn’t hurt that bad, it hurts for a second when they’re putting (the needle) in, and once you’re going it’s not bad. Sit back, relax, read a book, bring headphones, or something to relax you to help you not think about it. Try giving blood. It is not as bad as it seems.”