Enumclaw’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is once again hosting Bloodworks Northwest for a blood drive.

The nonprofit will be stopping by Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This time around, though, giving blood won’t just help save lives; if you mention “Enumclaw High School leadership” to the workers at the blood drive, $10 will be donated to the leadership team.

“Virtual remote learning has changed the way we do things,” said Christy Weinbrecht, an EHS Leadership teacher, especially fundraising. “This fall is just so weird… normally right about this time, we’d be right in the middle of Homecoming and the senior class would do fundraising. It would just be nonstop. It’s nice to have an opportunity to raise some money.”

Any money raised from the event, Weinbrecht continued, will hopefully go toward putting on a big “return to school” celebration in January — if, of course, schools are bringing back students by that time.

“If that doesn’t work out, the money would go towards just establishing come connections, maintaining communications with out students, trying to keep people’s spirits up,” Weinbrecht said.

Schools are normally a huge part of the blood-drive world. According to Bloodworks Northwest media specialist John Yeager, about 20 percent of the nonprofit’s supply comes from school blood drives.

In total, Bloodworks Northwest needs about 900 units of blood a day “just to keep up with demand from the 100 hospitals we serve from Southeast Alaska to Southern Oregon,” Yeager said.

NEW RULES

The way blood drives operate have had to change due to the coronavirus pandemic, so even if you’re familiar with giving blood, it’s recommended you review the new protocols.

Maybe most importantly, walk-in appointments are no longer allowed — Bloodworks Northwest is requiring everyone to schedule an appointment by calling 800-398-7888 or by visiting their website, www.bloodworksnw.org.

Additionally, no guests or children under the age of 16 are allowed onsite.

Masks are also required in order to donate.

Although the time it takes to donate blood differs from person to person, Bloodworks Northwest encourages donors to plan for an hour-long appointment, which includes signing in and preparation for donating blood.

Bloodworks also notes that people who may not have been eligible to give blood in the past may be able to do so now — head to https://www.bloodworksnw.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/fda-guidance-messages-april-2-2020.pdf to review the FDA’s changes to blood donor eligibility.