The biannual Student Council blood drive took place on March 15 near the East Gym. Between 8:20 a.m. and 2 p.m. a team of phlebotomists dispatched from Heartland Blood Center, drew from 88 participants and rejected 21 for medical reasons.

In his sixth year of organizing and overseeing the blood drive, Student Council Advisor Tom Kempf has continued to work with HBC because it distributes blood locally.

“That’s why I like Heartland,” said Kempf. “It stays in the community.”

The blood is processed and screened for STDs, sickle cell, and various genetic diseases before it goes to any medical facilities. And HBC pays for all materials, including food, drinks, and medical equipment involved in the process.

If the school can break its record of one hundred eight donors, HBC has offered scholarship money that would go toward Student Council scholarships. They have even suggested that the school host a third drive, but it is too soon to make a commitment.

“Maybe in the future if we get a hundred twenty [donors],” said Kempf. “But for now, two [blood drives] is enough.”