On October 2, Central Islip High School welcomed the New York Blood Center to our gym for a blood drive. The Student Council organized this event as a great way to help those in need. This had an especially large impact given the fact that Hurricane Milton made landfall one week later. NYBC provides local hospitals with blood, but they also help to ensure that blood is available in areas impacted by natural disasters like hurricanes.

Our drive resulted in 53 pints of blood being donated, including 8 donors who gave double red cell donations. According to the New York Blood Center, unlike a whole blood donation where all three blood components of the blood is donated, double red cell donations use a process called apheresis to collect two units of only red blood cells. This is especially important for people who need transfusions including many premature babies.

If you missed the opportunity to donate and would like the chance to do so, Student Council will be hosting another blood drive on December 4!