Student Council hit the ground running this semester with the planning of its sixth annual Blood Drive. The drive, which is planned to run from 8 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, is sponsored by the American Red Cross and has become a much-anticipated event at the school.

“I’m extremely excited,” said StuCo president Shawn Moore, senior. “It’s my favorite event of the year that StuCo hosts.”

However, severe storms and snow that arrived in the area on Wednesday night could jeopardize the drive. Several St. Louis area Red Cross blood drives that were scheduled to take place on Thursday, Jan. 20 have been canceled. StuCo said Thursday that if the district does not cancel school on Friday, the drive will take place as scheduled.

If school is canceled on Friday, then the blood drive will not take place.

If this occurs, “[StuCo] will have to work with Red Cross and attempt to reschedule [the blood drive] as soon as possible,” said Moore. “It is doubtful that [the drive would] be for a few months at least.”

Last year’s blood drive was able to collect 194 blood packs from over 200 volunteers. On average, one blood pack can be used by three different people, meaning that the blood donated last year saved almost 600 lives. This year, the expectations are even higher.

“We actually expect [the blood drive] to be larger this year,” said Moore.

Fellow StuCo member Anna Killpack, sophomore, shared Moore’s optimism about the event.

“I’m excited to see how many people actually donate [this year],” she said.

Students who signed up during lunch periods will report to the small gym at their scheduled times. A photo I.D. is needed for check-in, as well as a questionnaire from the Red Cross to determine if you are able to donate blood. There will be Red Cross workers in the gym – Moore estimates around 25 – to ease students through the blood donation. StuCo members will also be present all morning to assist with the drive.

For those who want a little extra motivation, there will be other tables in the gym; last year, donors were able to snack on food donated by area businesses, and this year, plans for more cookie and pizza tables are in the works.

“[StuCo] will also be selling left over ‘Toys 4 Tots’ T-shirts for five dollars,” said senior member Kara Brooks.

Students have also designed blood drive T-shirts that will be available Friday to students who attend.