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NHS Takes First In Division For Blood Drive Success

By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA

Moapa Valley Progress

MVHS National Honor Society chapter president Emma Thompson (left) and Blood Drive Coordinator Bailey Bunker (right) display a plaque celebrating the chapter’s first place ranking in their division from United Blood Services. PHOTO BY GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA/Moapa Valley Progress.

There’s nothing to b-negative about when it comes to the successes of the Moapa Valley High School’s National Honor Society. Thanks to the efforts of President Emma Thompson and blood drive coordinator Bailey Bunker, the local chapter of this service-oriented program has reached new heights this year.

Seven blood drives were conducted through the NHS program during this school year, and the subsequent donations of students and community members totaled 198 units. This enormous accomplishment earned Moapa Valley the first place title in the division, as well as a $1,500 scholarship from the United Blood Services.

“It’s good to be a part of something that’s so much bigger than [us],” commented Bailey Bunker. “I know it has impacted a lot of lives. It’s a great thing to be involved in.”
“Helping with the blood drives this year has probably been one of my favorite things,” added Emma Thompson. “It was meaningful to see the impact they have and how willing people are to help.”
NHS advisor Greg Thompson praised Bunker and Thompson for their efforts, explaining that they went out of their way to make phone calls, hang up posters, and personally encourage community members to donate blood.

Thompson went on to describe the impact of blood donation, elaborating on the fact that an average of 3 lives can be saved by just one unit of blood.
“When you think about the family members of those people whose lives were saved…198 units means thousands of lives have been touched. That’s somebody’s mom or dad, somebody’s child,” said Thompson. “It’s a great way to anonymously make a difference.”

The first MVHS blood drive this school year was held just days before the October 1 shooting in Las Vegas.
“The blood that our community collected was available and ready to be used the night of the shooting,” said Thompson. “That’s pretty significant.”

Ashlyn Western, the new blood drive coordinator for the 2018-2019 school year, expressed her excitement at being able to be a part of the NHS program.
“It will give me the chance to be more involved with the community, and it will open up more opportunities for service,” said Western, who will be a senior. Western’s goal is to get more high school students to participate in donating blood, “because we never know who we might eventually help.”

Two community blood drives will be held this summer at the Old Overton Gym. They will take place on Thursday, June 7 and Thursday, July 26 from 2:00-6:00 pm. For more information, visit www.unitedbloodservices.org.

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