South will host its annual blood drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross on Friday, Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. located in the Boll Gym. NHS Advisor Katie Barbour and other NHS members will lead the event.

This year is Ms. Barbour’s second year helping work this event, encouraging students to help save lives across the country. If you are 16 years old, you must have a parent or guardian’s signature, while participants over 16 do not need one, making it available for many South students to donate.

“Donating blood is a great way for students to give back and help out the entire country,” Barbour said. “You have to be 17 in most states to donate blood, it is the first time many students have the opportunity to do so.”

To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the sponsor code “GPsouth.” The donation process takes about an hour, with the actual blood donation lasting five to eight minutes, with beverages and snacks provided. Each donation can save lives, contributing to a vital cause.

“Donating blood is fun overall, and can be exciting because when you give blood you get to find out your blood type, and where it ends up, like whose life you saved, or what hospital it went to,” Barbour said.