On February 17 and 18, the FWCD Student Council will host the annual Blood Drive, led by Carter Blood Care. All FWCD students, faculty, and parents are encouraged to give blood, so long as they are over the age of 16 (with a parental consent form), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are not anemic. Participants can check to see if they are anemic by taking a blood test with their healthcare provider.
Donors should consume iron-rich foods like greens, shellfish, meat (liver, etc.), and beans prior to donation.
“It’s a powerful reminder that leadership is ultimately about showing up for your community in tangible ways and providing opportunities for others in our community to do the same,” Jennifer Giroir, Upper School history teacher and Student Council moderator, said.
Though all STUCO members will participate in planning and executing the Blood Drive, the main committee is comprised of class presidents Paxtyn McPeak ’26, Lucy Wegman ’27, Charlotte Knight ’28, and Harmon Hong ’29, as well as class representatives Madeline O’Neill ’26, Bella Rugema ’27, Anna Chung ’28, and Smith Stephens ’29.
“The Student Council plans a lot of events, but I think this is one of the most important since it goes toward such a good cause, and has such a tangible impact on people’s lives,” McPeak said.
FWCD students can also volunteer to assist with the blood drive by checking donors in and walking them back to class after they give blood. Students who volunteer and those who give blood will receive two service hours.
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The Blood Drive will take place in the classrooms in the Patton Field House. The process of donating blood only takes 10-15 minutes, so students should have ample time to give blood before school, after announcements, during their free periods, or after school on either day.
“Planning and hosting our annual blood drive has become one of the most meaningful traditions of our Student Council, in my opinion,” Giroir said. “Each year, students learn that service requires organization, commitment, and follow-through—but more importantly, they see how a single act like donating blood can have a real and immediate impact on others.
Students can sign up to volunteer and donate blood through a Google Form sent out by Giroir, which details time slots and additional information for donation.
“Donating blood is a positive way to have a powerful effect on someone who needs our help,” James Black, Carter BloodCare spokesperson, said. “When you donate blood with Carter BloodCare, you help children who are fighting cancer, organ transplant recipients, people hurt in serious car wrecks, patients being treated after mass casualty incidents, new mothers, and so many others.” said
As of early 2026, the United States is experiencing a severe shortage of blood. Just in the past month, inventory has dwindled by 35% with particularly low levels of O positive and negative, A negative, and B negative blood types. This issue has been exacerbated by the recent winter storms, which have precluded many from making the trip to give blood, as well as a heavy flu/cold season, generational decline, an increase in working remote (thereby limiting opportunity for workplace drives), and overall low donor engagement, with only around 3% of eligible donors participating in drives.
For this reason, it is all the more important for students, faculty, staff, and any other members of the FWCD community to donate blood–it is a safe, easy, and quick way to make a meaningful impact on the community.
