Student Advisory Council (SAC) partnered with the Heartland Blood Center to organize the yearly fall blood drive at Central on Nov. 1.

The blood that was donated on Tuesday was  ready to help almost 350 local patients at Edward Hospital by Friday. In total, there were 114 successful donations and 35 deferrals. Last year, there were 81 successful donations and 32 deferrals.

“We have always been impressed by students’ spirit of community service, and this very tangible, physical way of saving a life was really powerful for our students and for us,” co-sponsor of SAC Megan Plackett said. “It was a matter of personal, physical helping that we normally don’t get to do.”

SAC also works with Central nurses, maintenance staff and the school at large to make the drive happen, working as event organizers behind the scenes. Home and School contributes to the sign up and donation process.

Senior Jennifer Brant used the experience of giving blood to help get over her fear of needles.

“I want to be a forensic scientist, which deals with a lot of blood and crime scenes stuff, so I have to get over it eventually, and [I wanted to donate] because it was for a good cause,” Brant said.

The fear of needles or blood is a concern that SAC recognizes may prevent people from donating.

“We acknowledge the fear [of needles],” Plackett said. “It’s a very real fear, but we appreciate their deep desire to give. Some students have a very personal reason for giving, [maybe] a family member who was sick, and often having that personal story in mind as motivation for giving  helps them through the momentary [feeling of unease].”

Adel Wu, a senior and vice president of SAC, donated blood for the first time and discovered the importance of giving blood.

“I feel like people don’t understand how important it is because last year I didn’t understand, and I [thought] someone would donate in my place… but you really do save lives and blood is so needed,” Wu said. “When people get injured, [sometimes] they need blood transfusions and everybody can help. Your [body] replenishes your blood cells later so I don’t think it’s much of a sacrifice.”