The KHS Blood Drive was held yesterday in the Denver Miller gym. One hundred fifty-three donors entered the gym to give blood, 146 students and seven staff members, and 15 students volunteered.
One hundred twenty-six pints were collected, surpassing the initial goal of 99.
Bob Becker, chemistry teacher, coordinated the event. It was sponsored by Kirkwood Youth Service and run by Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center.
“I’m really proud of the students for turning out,” Becker said. “They really did Kirkwood proud.”
Seven students were able to give two pints of blood in one sitting, including Daniel Plants, senior.
“It’s nice knowing you helped someone who needs it,” Plants said. “It’s not that difficult or painful.”
More than 200 donors signed up to give blood. Becker credits illness for the amount of absences, and also noted that some students could not give blood due to circumstances such as being out of the country or getting tattoos recently.