On its return from Christmas Break, Duncan Middle School partnered with the Oklahoma Blood Institute to host a blood drive at the school.
OBI parked its “blood mobile” in the north parking lot of DMS on Jan. 8, where teachers, school staff and members of the community could give blood. The middle school’s National Junior Honor Society chapter volunteered to help with signing people up throughout the blood drive.
The blood drive went from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Derrick Miller, the NJHS sponsor said, “I think this blood drive is a great opportunity for the NJHS members to see how other help in their community. Blood drives are important; they save lives.”
Miller was one of the DMS faculty members who donated blood the day of the blood drive.
The NJHS members worked in hour-long shifts to sign-up anyone who wanted to donate, mostly focusing on the faculty and staff of Duncan Middle School. However, there were plenty of Duncan residents who stopped by to donate.
Although community members could donate blood during the day-long drive, those who were 16 years old had to have parental permission to do so. Those 17 years old or older could donate without parental permission.
According to the OBI website, “Blood donation helps people in need in your community. Donors, especially those who donate regularly, keep our nation’s blood supply stable. Although many people donate blood after disasters, blood is needed every day of the year.”
All donors received a sweat shirt for their time and donation.
They were also required to wait 10 minutes after donating before they were released. During that time, they were given snacks.
