The annual blood drive brought together a wide range of students. Throughout the school day, donors piled in, contributing to a cause that saves lives. Liam Brink ‘26 said his reasoning stemmed from both curiosity and compassion. “I’m really interested in finding out my blood type,” he stated, “and I feel like donating blood is the most I can do right now to help people in need of a transfusion.” Brink described blood donation as a direct way he can make a positive impact on the community. Tommy Deignan ‘27 said he didn’t need a complicated reason to show up. “Someone asked me to, and I don’t really have a reason not to.” He also stated that he knows blood donation “helps people,” making it very rewarding and worthwhile. 

The blood drive was led by Forum members Shoumili Tarafder ‘26 and Madhav Kumar ‘27. Tarafder, who helps volunteer with the American Red Cross outside of school, viewed the drive as a great opportunity to bring that impact closer. “I thought it would be good to spread the impact inside the school,” she said. Kumar added that supporting the event felt like “assisting the saving of lives,” and expressed the work as very meaningful and important. The Red Cross staff included technician Veev Herd, who emphasized the importance of each donation. Herd joined the field in 2021 and found it very motivating to help others. “Every one to three seconds, someone needs blood,” he stated. Herd asserted, “I want everyone who donates to feel good knowing they’re saving a life.”