West Chicago Community High School gave back to the community with its annual blood drive on Oct. 11, where students and staff met in the small gym for around one hour to voluntary donate to those in need of blood transfusions.

Behind the concept of simply giving blood is the idea that these volunteers can help save lives, which, some students believe, is crucial to American society following the nation’s harsh hurricanes.

“I’ve always liked helping people, so this is a good way to get involved and help. Especially after Hurricane Milton and Helene, that’s really beneficial to those causes,” junior Miles Viscogliosi said.

Sponsor of Interact Club Gavin Engel helps set up the drives two times a year during the fall and spring seasons. Having a dedicated organizer is essential in putting together and advocating for a voluntary event to receive the best outcome possible, and also to ensure the volunteers have an easy-going experience.

“You can save three lives just by donating. It doesn’t take long, usually it’s not longer than a period. It’s a great thing to do because oftentimes the Chicagoland supply is low, so this is a great way you can give back,” Engel said.

The program’s goal was to reach 33 donation participants, and with 25 students signed up, as well as teachers who were able to come in during any time of the day, WEGO gave back to people who are struggling.

“You don’t really know who you’re helping, but you know that you’re helping someone in need, ” Engel said.

Blood donation may seem like a small task, but to some, it is truly inspiring and can change a person’s life. Versiti member and event participant Sarah Horne gave her first donation when she was a senior in high school, as her grandpa had cancer at the time. Since then, she has continued to show up and give blood throughout her adult life.

“My grandpa was at Mayo Clinic being treated for cancer, and my mom called me and told me that he had gotten so much blood transfused that he looked tan. And I thought, how can I let strangers save my grandpa and I’m not helping other people? I decided to go donate blood and I found it to be a really easy experience, so as I became an adult, I realized I needed to keep donating because not everybody can, but a lot of people (who) can don’t,” Horne said.

High school is an accessible way to highlight the importance of early donation experiences. These blood drives hold the power to alter someone’s commitments, as people who donate once could feel more inclined to donate again by being welcomed with a nicely flowing system.

“I realized that I could help support the mission, and I could also work with students and teachers to be able to keep the process going. We find that if people can donate blood and have a good experience in high school, they have a better chance of being a lifelong donor their whole lives,” Horne said.