On November 19, 2010, The Williston Northampton School will host its semiannual blood drive from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Reed Campus Center. All are welcome to attend, particularly parents who might wish to donate with their children.

The blood drive takes place on the Friday before Thanksgiving because demand for blood increases at this time of year due to holiday travel, and supply decreases because people are busy.

In order to donate blood, individuals must be generally healthy and at least 17 years old (16-year-olds may donate with a signed permission form), weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated in the last eight weeks. The entire donation process takes 50 to 60 minutes. The staff takes care to make sure that donors feel “good to go” before they leave.

The Red Cross blood drive has become a tradition at Williston. At last spring’s blood drive, 112 donors gave 97 pints of blood (enough to save 291 lives) while 30 students, teachers, and parent volunteers helped the drive run smoothly. In addition, five students were awarded a total of $2,500 in scholarships by Bob’s Discount Furniture High School Heroes Program, which recognizes outstanding high school seniors in Massachusetts and Connecticut who have made exceptional contributions to their schools’ volunteer blood donor programs.

For more information, including tips for a good donation experience and more reasons to give blood, visit www.givelife.org.