GR wins blood drive competition

Rival schools, united by a common cause, were able to collectively donate more than 600 pints of blood during the annual blood drive challenge Green River and Rock Springs high schools competed in.

Thursday morning at Green River High School, students and faculty donated blood in the school's auditorium. Some, like junior Santana Kunz, had personal reasons to donate.

Kunz' parents instilled the idea of doing good for other people in her. She said about half of her family is unable to donate blood because of cancer and decided to donate after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

For Andrew Boldt, a senior, it was his fourth time donating. Boldt sat relaxed in his chair as he awaited a United Blood Services technician to insert the needle into his arm.

"The first time I was nervous, but after that first time, it was easier for me," Boldt said.

Sandy Thomas, a senior recruitment representative for United Blood Services, said the company capitalizes on the school rivalries across the state for their blood drives. The two schools involved in each blood drive compete for a traveling trophy while every school participating in the drive also competes for a larger commissioners' cup, which is awarded to the school donating the most blood. Students from GRHS have kept the commissioners' cup in Green River since 2013. However, Rock Springs is a very close competitor in the blood drive.

Last year, 567 pints were collected between the two schools, with Green River edging out Rock Springs by three pints.

This year, students and faculty were able to collect 636 pints and Green River was able to keep the traveling trophy, donating 324 pints to Rock Springs' 312.

Rivalries aside, the schools collect blood that will be distributed to hospitals throughout the region, helping countless people in the process.

"Just knowing I'm helping someone in some way motivates me," Boldt said.