The Williston Northampton School will host its semiannual blood drive for the American Red Cross on Friday, May 27. The drive will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Reed Campus Center at 40 Park Street. All are welcome to attend, particularly parents who might wish to take part with their children in what has become a tradition at Williston.

During last year’s spring blood drive, 112 donors gave 97 pints, enough blood to save over 291 lives. About 30 student, faculty, and parent volunteers to organized and worked the drive. Williston placed second in Massachusetts for the Bob’s Discount Furniture High School Heroes $100,000 Scholarship Program with an 89% participation rate, and we are hoping for similar success this year.

In order to donate blood, individuals must be generally healthy and at least 16 years old, 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. To help ensure a successful blood draw, donors are encouraged to “pump up” before the big day with iron-rich foods like raisins and apricots, spinach, almonds, beans, fortified cereals, tuna, or turkey.

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