Students had the opportunity to donate their blood at Cypress Ridge’s annual Blood Drive on campus Friday, Oct. 21. The event took place at designated times between 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the first gym. The drive was hosted by St. Luke’s Hospital, and was made available to students who were 17 years of age or older as long as they had a valid ID and parent permission.

Maegan Valencia donated blood to the drive on Friday, and really hopes to make a difference in people’s lives. She might get her wish, as the blood drive states that one donation saves three lives.

“My mom almost died giving birth to me,” senior Valencia said. “She would have died without a blood transfusion. That motivated me to donate.”

Athziri Ruiz, a senior, has been a frequent donor over the past two years, and loves helping those who are in need. Having O Negative blood makes her blood applicable to all blood types.

“Donating blood makes me feel like I’m giving someone the opportunity to live,” Ruiz said. “Since I’m a universal donor, it gives me more variety and assurance that I’ll have made a difference.”

While there were students who donated blood, members of HOSA were present as well, and helped the nurses out and assisted in procedures.

Ieng is a prominent member of HOSA, while also taking the Health Science class. 

“Even though I didn’t donate, I felt like I was contributing to the community,” said junior Roland Ieng. “I felt like I was making a difference in someone’s life.”

This is Roland’s first blood drive volunteering and helping out.

“I’m glad I was able to help,” Ieng says. ‘It was a very good experience.”