Maybe it was the free AMC movie tickets, maybe it was the drinks and snacks or maybe it was the ability to “save two lives” that brought a huge group of students to the community commission’s annual Stanford Blood Drive on Jan. 23. The drive was held in the school’s Small Gym from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and was open to juniors and seniors of at least 17 years of age weighing at least 110 pounds.

“Overall, I thought the event was pretty successful,” said senior commission member Swupnil Sahai. “We got a lot of people who were willing to donate blood. Over 70 students donated and I was happy to see several teachers getting involved as well.”

Sahai was pleased with the large turnout despite the sometimes-negative stigma associated with giving blood.

“It was great to see so many people helping out despite their fear of needles, which was the most popular excuse I was getting when I first signed people up,” said Sahai.

Senior Paari Kandappan was one of several students who donated blood.

“It’s always a bit nerve-wracking when they take blood,” said Kandappan, “but I felt good about helping out the needy. The free movie tickets just served as an added incentive.”

The commission had been planning the event for a few months leading up to the event. The group met with a representative from the Stanford Blood Center in December in order to start organizing the drive. Commission members publicized the event in the weeks leading up to the drive by creating a Facebook event, distributing fliers and getting sign-ups in the quad among other things.

If all goes well, Sahai says the school can expect another blood drive to take place later this spring. He hopes that even more students will
donate blood next time.

“I’m definitely looking forward to donating when I turn 17,” said sophomore commission member Daryl Chang.