OSOYOOS — At a time when they’re thinking of what college to go to and post graduation plans, a group of high school students from Osoyoos is also making a decision most teens aren’t thinking of, the choice to save a life.
The group of 19 students drove up from Osoyoos to Canadian Blood Services in Kelowna just to donate. It’s a field trip teacher Peter Gajda has taken his students on for the past eight years to become first time donors.
“I’ve been a blood donor since I was 18,” says Gajda “and I encourage kids to come out and give back to the community.”
The encouragement seems to be working.
“I think it’s just a wonderful thing really,” says high school student Viveka Jensen. “I hope that I’ll be able to donate for years to come.”
According to Canadian Blood Services, young donors are vital.
“The 17 to 24-year-old donors make up about 19 per cent of the donor base across Canada,” says Gayle Voyer, with Canadian Blood Services in Kelowna.
It’s a life decision Gajda hopes his students continue to embrace.
“They’re going to become young adults, taking the place people like me donating for so long. If we can find four or five continuous donors, it’s fantastic.”
Since 2009, every school year Canadian Blood Services has launched a Young Blood for Life Donation Challenge to encourage students 17 and older to give.
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