On Jan. 9,  Leadership teachers Taylor Kidd and Karen McNamara organized a blood drive affiliated with INOVA Hospital to help give back to the community. Each student donated a pint a blood which can save up to three lives. Around 80 students participated in this event that McLean hopes to host every year.

“If you give blood it can save up to three lives. So that’s pretty cool because this is going to take me 15 minutes and then I’m going back to class but it can give people an extra year,” senior Julia Koehl said.

Students are benefiting from giving blood just as much as the people receiving it are.

“I gave blood because I think its important to give back and help people in need. I think its a really great opportunity because you can make a huge difference in someone else’s life, someone who may really need it. I feel I did something good and i am proud I donated my blood,” senior Lorelei Legg said.

The process to donating blood is simple, you and your parent simply have to sign a form and once they test your blood and ask you a couple questions they’ll determine whether or not you are eligible.