Fossil Ridge HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America – Future Health Professionals) and National Honor Society (NHS) partnered with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in the school’s media center, collecting more than 20 liters of blood that could help save over 100 lives.

“The Red Cross reached out to us asking if we’d want to do a blood drive. So NHS is the one who communicated with the Red Cross to get it set up,” said NHS President Lily Capes.

Members of HOSA helped support the effort by donating blood during their first period classes.

To donate at the Fossil blood drive, students had to meet a certain height and weight requirements. Students who were 16 and 17 needed a parental consent form, while students who were 18 could donate on their own.

Before giving blood, students went through a survey detailing health information.

“So if they’re on certain medications, if they’ve traveled out of the country, if they’re anemic, if they have enough iron in their blood, they’ll check blood pressure to see vital signs and make sure that they’re healthy enough to give blood at that moment,” said science teacher and HOSA sponsor Hower said.

The goal for the drive was 20 units, or pints, of blood. There were 42 appointment spots, all of which were filled, along with 15 walk-ins, to make a total of 57 donors.