The school’s American Red Cross Club hosted its second semester blood drive in collaboration with the Parents’ Association and University of California, Los Angeles Blood & Platelet Center (UCLA) on April 17. The drive was open to all Upper School students 16 years or older and was held in Chalmers Hall.
American Red Cross Club President Arman Tabesh ’26 said he promoted the drive through consistent outreach and peer influence.
“[The club] sent school-wide emails and targeted messages to club members, and we also hosted a sign-up table for two days to engage students in person,” Tabesh said. “Additionally, we encouraged students who had previously donated to share their experiences, which we hope helped make the process feel more approachable and less intimidating.”
Tabesh said the drive exemplified the club’s values and the broader mission of the American Red Cross.
“This event directly reflects our mission of mobilizing the student community to take part in life-saving efforts,” Tabesh said. “Blood drives provide a tangible way for students to make an immediate impact, reinforcing the idea that they can contribute meaningfully to addressing real-world needs.”
American Red Cross Club Outreach Officer Evan Kim ’27 donated blood for the second time during this drive, her first time being in the club’s first semester blood drive. Kim said one of the challenges during the drive was alleviating donors’ unease.
“A lot of students were hesitant, whether it was anxiety about needles or just not knowing what to expect,” Kim said. “So I spent a lot of time reassuring people that it really isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. From my own experience, the UCLA Blood Drive staff is incredibly helpful and made the whole process easy, especially for first-timers.”
Kim said she was surprised by the event’s large turnout and appreciated the calm environment.
“One thing that really stuck with me was walking in to check in for my appointment and seeing just how long the sign-up list had gotten,” Kim said. “So many students had decided to show up as walk-ins at the last minute, which was really cool to see. The staff were incredibly caring as well, and the overall atmosphere felt truly warm and reassuring.”
Joe Reiner ’26 donated blood for the first time and said he experienced some worry but was happy to help the community.
“I was a little nervous, but my friends were doing it too,” Reiner said. “It was slightly painful and uncomfortable, but the staff was all very nice and I do not have a huge fear of needles, so I was fine. Donating blood made me feel good about myself and was an opportunity to give back to the community.”
