Red Cross is coming to Tigard High School Wednesday Oct. 24 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the small gym. This is a time for students to donate blood to the Red Cross for someone in need.

This blood drive is being held by the National Honors Society. Francis Caro, the National Honors Society adviser, is volunteering for his sixth year now.  “Keeping a stocked blood bank is critical for those in need,” Caro said.

In the Pacific Northwest, high schools account for nearly 20 percent of overall donations. High school students want to help their community and this is a great outlet to do so, said Daphne Mathew, communications manager for the Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region.

Blood drives work well in places that have a lot of people, and if you have seen four corners during passing time then you know Tigard High has a lot of students, somewhere in the range of 2,000. Not anyone can donate. For guys, you must be 16 with a parents consent or older and must be 4’10” or taller and at least 110 pounds. For girls, you must also be 16 with a parents consent or older, and  you must be 5’1” or taller and at least 110 pounds.

“Blood donation is an authentic human to human act of kindness. Blood donors selflessly give of themselves — never knowing who will receive their blood — all the while understanding that their generosity may help save more than one life. It’s fast, it’s easy and it’s heroic,” Mathew  said.