On November 7, 2025, Cerritos High School students rolled up their sleeves in the East Gym to take part in the annual HOSA Blood Drive. The event, sponsored by the school’s HOSA club (Health Occupations Students of America–now known as Future Health Professionals) and conducted by Cedars-Sinai Hospital, ran from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Students were encouraged to come prepared bringing a photo ID, eating a good meal, drinking extra water, and being in good health. To be eligible, donors needed to weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old. Sixteen-year-olds could still participate if they had a signed parent consent form and weighed at least 135 pounds.
Cedars-Sinai, currently ranked third on the Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 2025–2026, partnered with Cerritos High to collect life-saving donations. Each participant gave one pint of blood, which will be separated into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma—enough to help save up to three lives.
According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds, and about 29,000 units of red blood cells are used every day. Yet, only about 3% of eligible Americans donate each year. Blood donations are crucial for surgeries, cancer treatments, trauma care, and patients with chronic illnesses. During winter and summer months, blood supplies often run dangerously low, making school drives like Cerritos High’s an important part of keeping hospitals stocked.
Junior Kireya Botros shared her motivation for donating: “Some people need blood donations, and I thought it would be a good way to get volunteer hours.” Registered nurse Lorraine McPherson added, “We need volunteers—the blood itself becomes medicine for somebody.”
Yearbook Advisor and Journalism Advisor, Ms. Denise Weuve has benefited from a blood donation. “I would have not survived a surgery that went wrong, without an anonymous blood donor. I am proof of the effectiveness of donations, and forever grateful to anyone brave enough to do this.”
While the next date is not yet confirmed, Cedars-Sinai is considering returning in the spring for another blood drive. Students are encouraged to keep an eye out for future announcements and take part in the next opportunity to help save lives. It could even be the life of someone you know.
