Garrett Feldman, junior, donates blood next to Chris Schipper, senior.

AKRON — A blood drive hosted by the Tippecanoe Valley High School student council on Friday, Dec. 2, collected 54 units of blood for the American Red Cross.

A total of 51 donors rolled up their sleeves to donate. Three people were able to donate “doubles” where their blood is put through a special machine that separates the blood. They donate two units of red blood cells, while the platelets and plasma are returned to the donor’s body.

This was the second of four blood drives the high school student council hosts throughout the school year. The American Red Cross provides scholarship money to students depending on the number of blood donations collected at the blood drive.

“We need over 200 units for the year to reach the top scholarship goal of $2,500. We are at a total of 98 units from the two blood drives we’ve had so far,” said Student Council Advisor Crystal Heckaman.

As the school year continues, more students turn 16 and are able to donate which helps replace the donors that graduated last year.

The blood drive was also open to community members who met the donor requirements outlined by the American Red Cross.