Abraxas High School to Host Second Blood Drive

The student council of hopes to build upon the success of its first blood drive with its second "Make a Difference in Life" blood drive on Wednesday.

. Organizers hope to help donate as much, if not more, blood to the San Diego Blood Bank.

“Abraxas doesn’t have that many students, but they thought they should bring a second one in since the first one went well,” said Student Council Representative and senior Kiara Vivas.

Cathy Kosich, a student services specialist and student council coordinator at Abraxas, said the school has about 200 students, and many of them volunteered and donated at the first blood drive.

“Having the blood mobile on campus helps the kids to feel comfortable about it,” Kosich said. “It’s hard to get an 18-year-old to go to the blood bank and say, ‘I want to give blood.’ Having the blood mobile on campus and having it in an environment that they feel safe and comfortable in, it’s easier for them to access.”

Vivas is among the students who plan to donate blood for the first time at the blood drive, which is open to the public and will take place from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

“A lot of people need blood and it’s important for those people to get it,” she said. “I’m very nervous because I’m scared of needles, but I’m still going to do.”

Student Council Representative and senior Andrea Brown said she is going to donate blood for the third time. No longer nervous about the process, she plans to help support others.

“There were kids on campus and it was their first time,” Brown said. “We were there to hold a conversation and get their mind off it.”

Although they haven’t yet held the second blood drive, the student council has already made plans to host a third blood drive during the summer.

“It lets the community know that we are willing to contribute to the community and how important that contribution is for our society,” Kosich said.

Brown added: “It’s good to support the community, it’s good to support our local hospitals.  Anything could happen to a family member, someone on campus or families in the community, so we need to help out. We need to help our community.”

Student council representatives made announcements to each of the school’s classes, created posters and set appointment cards. They have also distributed fliers at local shops.

Brown said many community members came to Abraxas’ first blood drive. She hopes they will receive support this time, too.

“Support the San Diego Blood Bank and come to Abraxas’ blood drive to meet some good students and support our community,” Brown said. “It’s for a good cause.”