Homestead’s annual blood drive, organized by the student council in partnership with Versiti Medical, took place on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in the fieldhouse. The event offers an opportunity for students and faculty to give back to the community and help save lives in a critical time of need.
While preparing for the blood drive, student council vice president Matthew Seiberlich, senior, shared his insight into why he enjoys planning the blood drive.
“I love doing the blood drive because we work with Versiti and all the blood that we collect goes back to serving the local hospitals in Milwaukee,” Seiberlich said.
Throughout the process of planning the blood drive, Ashley Ackmann, co advisor of the student council alongside Dawn Pfaff, mentioned why the blood drive is so important to the student body.
“I know that the student donors look forward to participating in the blood drive every year and having a positive impact on their community. The student council members really enjoy the process of planning and volunteering in the blood drive,” Ackmann said.
Ackmann also added why she thinks students enjoy the blood drive so much, “I think students love the blood drive because they get to learn what their blood type is which intrigues many students. And then when you learn your blood type you can put your punnett square skills to the test in biology,” Ackmann said.
Additionally, numerous members of the student council such as Alex Gaskin, student council president, gave her insight into the importance of the blood drive.
“I think it is really important to give students the opportunities to help their community. I think there are always people in need of blood products so the fact that students can save lives is really impactful,” Gaskin said.
Gaskin added on why she felt the environment plays a huge role in student participation, “I think it is very meaningful that during the blood drive students can help their community in such a supportive and safe environment,” Gaskin said.
Other members such as the student council’s communications coordinator Patrick Brown, senior, shared insight into why he feels blood donation is important.
“I think blood donation is such a good thing that a student can do. You have the ability to save lives which is priceless, I have volunteered at the blood drive for the past four years and I have seen the positive change that it promotes which I think is so inspiring,” Brown said.
Furthermore, Addison Kane, junior, the student council’s treasurer explained why she feels it is important that Homestead continues the annual blood drive.
“I think that it’s important to continue the blood drive every year because if you donate you can help give back to your local hospital to help your local community, ” Kane said.