I Offered to Donate My Blood to the Red Cross
Why can’t we give blood?
Last Thursday, I went to give double reds at Holliston High school. I give blood whenever the Red Cross gives me a call to make an appointment, and I try to give double reds. It is a longer process that involves separating your blood and returning your plasma. You can help more people, give blood less often, and don’t feel sick at the end of the process. The only trouble is that there are only so many machines, and the Red Cross likes to have them running the entire blood drive. This is part of why they make appointments.
Upon arriving at HHS, however, I was surprised to find no sign indicating “Red Cross” on the gym door and the doors themselves locked. Assuming this was a mistake, I turned to see two girls talking to one of my old teachers. Turns out they had also signed up to give blood and, being Amherst students from Hopkinton, were even more confused than I. We proceeded to head down to the gym, and tried to sign up.
This is where it gets exciting! I walked up to the desk where they sign you in, and the guy says “are you a student?” (as if he’s challenging me). I told him no, and he said “well, you can’t give blood. School policy, only faculty and students.” I replied “That’s Bull” and went down to the office to clear matters up. I was rather upset as I’d biked up to the school only to be turned away, and what was worse, these two ladies had driven out from Hopkinton on their spring break in order to give blood!
According to Mr. Buday of the Superintendent’s Office, policies like whether non-students are allowed to give blood during a drive on the campus are set by the particular school’s administration. He assumed it was for security reasons (he related it to voting days when ‘anyone in town’ can come to the school to vote. Because voters are dangerous, the schools get worried), but could not say for sure as he did not even know there was a drive that day (Understandable because it is not really a complicated event and he’s got more important things to worry about than whether nurses are taking blood to help folks). He directed me back to the HHS office to get further information on the school policy.
I have contacted the HHS administration several times, and they have yet to get back to me in the past week. This should be a simple answer, and I do not know, besides being busy (but we all are), why they have been unable to let me know why I could not give blood. Luckily FSU was having a drive so I could keep on schedule with giving blood whenever I can.
Hopefully, they can get back to me and explain why I could not give blood, and hopefully rectify the situation for future blood drives.
At least some of these comments will discourage more people from moving inro town.
John Greendale | 2015-03-31 12:01:47
Susan and Stan, I really hope you are kidding. If not, what is wrong with ridding bikes and mentoring younger students, I thought we encouraged people to do that? Also, are you really attacking this authors character? If you have a problem with the argument, attack to argument, not the author.
James | 2015-03-30 15:45:14
It is unfair to assume he doesn't have a valid reason to be on school grounds. I know Andrew does a fine job volunteering as a mentor for the high school's robotics team. Instead of publicly attacking people through comments, we should focus on having an intellectual discussion, and leave any personal comments for real life interactions.
Jim | 2015-03-30 12:34:20
I find it very akward every time I go to pickup my kids at school I see a twenty something year old Andrew walking around the schools. Im glad they enforced the policy , but why is he allowed in the school if he is not either working or a student? Andrew please spend your time with peers of your own age.
Susan Seaver | 2015-03-30 07:40:41
You can always go anytime to the donor room first floor of Framingham Metro West Hospital. I've been doing it for many years. So far I'm up to 12 gallons, one pint at a time. Yes, I guess I'm bragging, but anyone can do it.
Jean | 2015-03-30 07:31:28
From the comment below, what is wrong with riding a 20 something riding a bike ?
John | 2015-03-30 06:55:56
Am I missing something? We as a community are always behind people trying to do the right thing. This gentleman tried to donate blood and was turned away. If I read the article correctly, he had an appointment. Why is everyone bashing him? I hope he doesn't change his mind and stop donating. Is donating blood on the top of your to do list ?
Serena Keating | 2015-03-30 06:51:36
Demanding a 'Why', when it will do nothing to change the outcome....reminds me of reasoning with a 6 year old. Curious as to why this 20-something is still riding a bike..
Stan Coffin | 2015-03-30 04:01:00
Pick your battles. That's the best advice I got from my daughter's pediatrician when she entered toddlerhood. It has stood me well in my life, too :)
Erica | 2015-03-29 09:37:33
You have just described a normal day in most peoples life. Things happen, FSU is 10 minutes away, thanks for the donation but no need to write about this, it's a non story! What worries me is that a non student was walking in the halls!
Bob | 2015-03-29 05:40:35
I'd let it go. Life is filled with little disappointments.
MK | 2015-03-29 04:43:16