On Oct. 20, the California Scholarship Federation (CSF) club hosted a blood drive in the Student Activities Center (SAC). The SAC was closed to students for the day to make room for the blood drive.

Stanford Blood Center provided the equipment and nurses for the blood drive. “Giving blood becomes a life-time habit for high school students,” registered nurse Cindy Boone said. “They’re scared the first time, but we have a sticker so we take care of them.”

In order to participate in the blood drive students signed up with the CSF and had to meet several requirements.

Donors had to weigh at least 110 pounds and not have any tattoos for the safety of the donor and receiver. Donors also had to be age sixteen or above. Sixteen-year-olds had to have a special waiver signed as well.

According to senior CSF club president Grace Wu, 100 donors volunteered for this year’s event, which is about average for this bi-annual event. “We advertise the event, find donors and get student volunteers to help,” Wu said. The drive is free for Gunn and the club, and is almost always a successful event.

Senior donor Hank Ouyang was happy with his choice to donate blood. “I think it’s great, and I would definitely do it again,” Ouyang said. “It’s not painful—the most painful part is when she uses a needle on your finger.”

The next Stanford Blood Center drive will happen on March 23, 2007. “I hope that just as many, if not more students come,” Wu said.