On October 29,  the Bray-Doyle  Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) organization  will be hosting their annual fall blood drive in the high school library.

FCCLA sponsor Mrs. Vickie Carden said it is important for people to give blood.

“Giving blood is very important,” Carden said. “It can save lives, and help those that really need it.”

Not everyone can give blood and there are certain requirements that must be met for someone to donate blood.

“In order for a person to donate blood they must be at least 16 years old with their driver’s license and a signed permission slip,” Carden said. “Students that are 17 years old do not need a permission slip and those donating have to weigh over 110 pounds.”

Bray-Doyle teacher Mr. Matt Tillson said he has been giving blood since he was 18 years old and gives whenever he is able to. He said the first time to donate can be scary  for some, and donating blood is important for him because it has some personal meaning.

“A lot of students get scared when they first donate blood because of needles,” Tillson said. “When I was in 7th grade I had to be in the hospital, because of an operation,  and had blood drawn a lot so I was used to the needles. I’ve given blood whenever I can because I’ve had friends that needed it for medical reasons.”

Madison Hekia, FCCLA Vice-President, said their goal for this blood drive is to have 40 people donating. She said she hopes they can reach the goal and even then some.

“The blood institute representative said that every two seconds a patient needs blood,” Hekia said. “For us to get our goal or even past our goal, is very important so we can help as many people as possible.”