NP3 Seniors Host Blood Drive

By Sophie Pham
Staff Writer | The Pacific Times

On March 5, 2026, Seniors Ishan Pathak, Mason Takamoto, Samaiyra Sandhu, and Jehnica Mae Manlucu partnered with Vitalant to hold a blood drive at NP3 during the school day as part of their senior projects.

Their goals for this senior project was to combat blood shortages and raise awareness about it. Of the 46 possible slots for blood donors, all 46 were filled, and 30 people donated blood. 

The seniors started preparing for the event in November 2025 by partnering with the blood bank Vitalant to bring a blood drive to NP3. They worked together to organize appointments for the day of the blood drive, contact students and potential volunteers, and raise awareness of the blood shortages prior to the March 5 event. They handed out flyers, spoke with people, visited classrooms to raise awareness, and even recruited teachers to share their experiences with blood shortages. 

“It was great to see everyone come in and make that donation for the good of their community, and it was a great feeling to have organized that drive as well,” said Mason Takamoto. “Over 100 lives will be touched in some way by the blood we raised here at NP3, so I would call that an amazing success!” 

Pathak participated in previous blood drives at NP3 and had donated blood three times before.

“So we like to tell people that yes you’re saving the community, but also helping people around you like in the NP3 community,” Pathak said.

As for the blood drive process, donors were advised to drink and eat plenty the day before and the morning of the blood drive. Since the event took place on a Thursday, participants were pulled out of class to go to the gym. There, the Vitalant team or the seniors checked in donors and had them complete a questionnaire that asked about their eligibility, where they’ve been, their medical history, etc. Their blood was checked, and when approved, they donated blood. After the donations, donors were provided with snacks by Vitalant, and students who donated snacks.

Spanish teacher and regular blood donor Peter Riehl said,  “The blood drive went smooth and easy…the company Vitalant was professional and friendly.”