By Chase Marshall

The most recent blood drive at PHS was Monday. A total of 54 pints was donated. Almost 70 students attempted to give blood; 12 were deferred for various reasons and three weren’t able to complete the process.

A lot of students would like to say that they donate blood for the good of other people and to help out others who need it, but most would be lying if they didn’t include the part about getting out of class and eating free food.

“I donate blood to help people, and for the good food. I always pick my hardest classes to skip,” said Derek Phaneuf ‘16.

“Donating blood is less painful than those classes,” added Phaneuf.

People seem to think that the reason kids donate is to get out of their hard classes, but that doesn’t always seem to be the case.

“I donate blood to skip class and to help people… and the food, but no I didn’t skip a hard class, I’m missing gym for this, I don’t want to get behind in other classes,” said Jeremiah Bradshaw ‘16.

Many students would rather not miss class at all.

“I don’t know why anyone would want to go get stabbed with a needle, I would rather be in class,” said Maddie Tran ‘17.

Overall, the reasons for donating blood are pretty mixed.

“I think about 50 percent of kids who donate blood do it to skip class, but some people do it during the summer so not everyone does it just to skip class, but the donuts and pizza are definitely a motivational factor,” said teacher Andrew Hansen, who as adviser to the Red Cross Club is in charge of the blood drive.
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