Story and Photo by Jesse Pena
Student Council held their first blood drive on Tuesday Sept. 10, to kick off the new school year. However this blood drive was a little different than the others. Faculty, staff, and students were asked to donate their blood to one of the counselors, Darla Harper.
“It made me happy, she was my teacher at Ed White Middle School,” junior Patrick Olivarez said. “The blood people told me it would go to her and I said yes. It was my first time donating blood; I was nervous going in, but after I sat down I started to relax.”
Harper will be undergo a major surgery today. The blood donated to her will be given to the hospital for a monetary donation to her bill at the end of the surgery. The donation was made possible with the help of The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.
“We are always willing to support our communities; Roosevelt is a big help to us, [with blood drives] up to four times a year and getting 200 units every visit,” Chad Brooks who works for South Texas Blood and Tissue Center said.
With about 800 units that are gained every year, and each unit saving three lives, that’s 2400 lives saved.
Student Council sponsor Patricia Sewell found out that Harper was undergoing surgery and asked her if it was okay to asked the faculty, staff, and students to donate in her name. She was very appreciative, Sewell said.
“I feel like it’s something we can do for our own. One unit can save three lives and it could be her very own,” Sewell said. “Folks don’t realize you never know when you’re going to need it or someone close to you, will.”
Student Council will be holding three more blood drives this school year. There will be one in November, one in February, and one in April.
