There is no better feeling than the one you get from helping others, and there is no shortage of opportunities to do just that. On Thursday, Feb. 13, HOSA hosted their second semester blood drive for anyone who wishes to donate; student, staff, or otherwise.

When donating blood, one vial is able to save up to three lives. Not only are you helping others, donors have been shown to exhibit higher qualities of life overall and a better state of mental health. An article posted on the Dr. B. Lal Clinical Laboratory website lists “reduced anxiety, diminished negative emotions, and a sense of belonging” as symptoms of donating.

“Walking in, everyone was very friendly,” junior Maren Pearson said. “After they’d finished, I got to sit and eat snacks and drink some juice for about 30 minutes.”

But the complimentary snacks weren’t the only things that interested Pearson.

“My friend Mallory convinced me to sign up,” Pearson said. “I had a really fun time, and I feel good knowing I did something good.”

Another student, senior Samyam Thapa, shared his own background in donating.

“I’d donated before, at the beginning of my junior year,” Thapa said. “I was originally interested in donating after learning about my grandfather’s leukemia. I wanted to make a positive impact in some way, even if it was just a blood donation to three random people.”

Whether you were inspired by the deeds of another, or just curious enough to want to help, there are so many things you can do to aid others everyday, and donating blood and plasma is just one way to do it.