Seventy-seven students and staff members saved the lives of three people each by donating blood, at the annual Kamehameha Schools Maui Blood Drive in Kaʻulaheanuiokamoku Gym on Oct. 22, 2012.

As their Hōʻike Nui product, seniors Raven Paresa-Neizman and Sarina Kong organized this blood drive with the help of Mrs. Brandy Cajudoy, their adviser.

According to the Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi blood donations will help cancer patients, accident trauma victims, open heart surgery patients, and many other medical surgery  patients.

60% of the people in Hawaii are going to need blood at some point in their lives but only 2% actually donate

“It [the blood drive] went really well. It was nice to see all of my classmates come out and support [our cause],” Paresa-Neizman said.

In addition to collecting 77 pints of blood this year, the team also recruited 27 first-time donors.

” I felt a little nervous at first. I got a little squeamish at first, but it was something that needed to be done,” said senior Hulali Brown said.

The amount of blood collected today, statiscally, will save 231 lives in Hawaiʻi.

“It felt really rewarding to know that a small sacrifice on my part made a huge difference in someone elseʻs life,” senior Kamehana Lee said.