Be a pal, give blood

MARBLE FALLS — At 6 feet tall, Marble Falls High School senior Cody Goodman looks relaxed and content reclining on a long gray chair that resembles a table. 

While most of his fellow students are in class, Goodman seems ready to take a little nap.

But a nap is the furthest thing from his mind. He’s more concerned about helping others by donating life’s most precious gift — blood. 

Goodman is one of 130 high school students who signed up to take part in the 10th annual Peer Assisted Leadership class’ blood drive for the Austin-based Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas Tuesday. With staff and a few community members also donating, 145 people took part in the event.

Not everyone gets to participate, and one of the toughest challenges for student organizers is telling classmates they can’t donate because they are too young.

“A lot of the freshmen want to do it, but we have to hold them back because you have to be 17 years old to donate blood,” said Taylor Nesrsta, PALS president. 

PALS sponsor Rhonda Nesrsta said many students find out about the blood drive when they are freshmen and sophomores and look forward to the opportunity to volunteer when they get older.

“You hear a lot of the seniors say, ‘I’ve been waiting to do this since I was a freshman,’” she said.

Senior Journey Bruns said this was the second PALS blood drive in which she’s donated. She took part last year because one of her cousins died from a blood disease; this year she donated again in her cousin’s honor. 

Bruns admitted she was a bit nervous about giving blood, but she did it anyway.

The fact so many students donate blood contradicts some of the stereotypes others have about teenagers not caring, she added.

“I think it shows we really want to help,” she said. “We’re not just going to sit around and do nothing.”            

Blood and tissue center officials said a pint of donated blood can be used by two people if necessary.

“So, we could be really helping a lot of people,” Taylor Nesrsta said. “We really try to instill in people that they’re going to save lives. Some (of the students) do get scared, but they still donate their blood.”

Senior Maggie Garrison said she was apprehensive. In fact, she tried to donate blood in the morning but just couldn’t overcome her fear. Still, Garrison was determined to try again later in the day. 

“I want to do this because I want to help people,” she said. “I’m a bit nervous, but I could save two people’s lives with my donation. For that reason, I think I’ll be able to do this.”

Goodman, meanwhile, waxed philosophic about his choice. 

As he squeezed a rubber ball to pump blood from his body through a long tube which led to a pint bag, Goodman said the initial prick of the needle stung, but “then it’s easy going.”

His reason for donating was simple.

“Someone just asked me to help out,” he said.

daniel@thepicayune.com

Photo by Daniel Clifton