Blood Drive at SHS

The SHS council is having a blood drive on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 9am- 2pm. In the main office the students can pick up a packet which includes a consent form for minors under 16, parental information on blood donation, and a FAQ sheet on 16-year-old blood donation.

The consent form asks you to state your name, birth date, address, city/state/zip, and phone number where a parent can be reached during donation. All donated blood is tested for ABO blood typing, syphilis, HIV, West Nile virus, and hepatitis B and C. Students and parents must read a disclosure of screening test results, they must sign the form and turn it into the office.


The parental information on blood donation paper talks of the donation process which includes registration, medical evaluation, blood collection and testing, and refreshment and relaxation. During the registration process the donor is required to present a picture ID with date of birth and complete a list of health-related questions. The medical evaluation in to ensure safety to the donor and recipients so the donor must weigh at least 110 lbs. and be in good health. A donor specialist will check the donor's blood pressure, temperature and pulse, and do a blood count test by taking a small drop of blood from the donor's finger. Then its time for collection and testing, a sterile needle is inserted into the donor's arm to collect the blood which usually takes 10 minutes. All donor information is confidential but if any of the tests come back positive the Blood Center will inform the donor and their parent.


Finally its time to relax; after donation the donors are encouraged to go to the refreshment areas and get a snack and drink which are provided to replenish energy levels. With in the next 24 hours it is important for the donor to drink plenty of fluids.


Donors can also donate plasma; the liquid portion of blood. It is composed of proteins and salt which can affect blood pressure. There is about a half pint of plasma in ever pint of blood.


FAQ; on this sheet it answers questions like do other states allow 16 year olds to donate blood, why is parental consent required for 16 year olds but not 17 year olds, how often can you give whole blood, and why you should give blood. It also talks about the benefits of donating; you can save up to three lives, a mini physical exam is done during donation, and donors receive a donor identification card. During the physical they determine for hematocrit levels, blood pressure, temperature, and blood screening tests.


There are some potential risks to donating which include: discomfort, swelling and bruising at the needle site, fainting, convulsions, injury to blood vessels and nerves, infection, and local blood clot. These risks are said to be relatively uncommon.


Many students say that they are afraid of needles so they wont donate blood, but some freshman want to donate and don't have that option. They feel that if they get parent consent they should be allowed to donate even if they are only 15, they feel they are old enough to make their own decisions.


For more information you can visit their website at www.bcw.edu or call the Blood Center of Wisconsin at 414-937-6070

Trick or Treat Street

Kimberly Becker

Trick or Treat Street was inside the Barney Center on October 30, 2009. It is traditionally outside on Osborne drive.

Trick or treat street, organized by the Boy's and Girl's club, is a fun and secure place for kids to go and celebrate halloween and get tasty candy. Breanna Johnson , program staff, said, "It is a safe place for kids to be and get some candy."

Trick or treat street was inside. People who went are divided on weather or not it was better to have inside. "It is better outside," said Elizabeth Becker, Senior, "The line goes by faster outside."

Levi Rybarkczyk, junior, said, "I like it better inside. It was warm."

The turn outs were still good even though it was in a new place. Johnson said, "I think there was more people than usual."

Several people said that they would go back next year. Becker said, "I would go back if it is outside." Rybarkczyk said, "Yes, I would go again."