The Medical Society (MEDSOC) hosted SIS’s first blood drive on April 17, bringing a mobile donation bus onto campus. Throughout the day, students and staff visited the bus to donate blood, contributing to the ongoing national blood supply shortage.

MEDSOC promoted the drive in the weeks leading up to it through posters placed around the hallways and morning announcements. Students who donated received four hours of community service and a small souvenir from the Red Cross. By the end of the event, more than 30 people had donated.

“In Korea, high school students and individuals serving in the military make up the largest portion of blood donors in the Red Cross,” Juhan Song, Blood Donation Development Team assistant manager, said. “This was SIS’s first time participating, and high school students here are making meaningful contributions.”

However, not everyone could sign up for the blood drive. Blood donation requires strict health screening to ensure donor safety and the quality of the blood supply.

“In most cases, if someone is in good condition and is not being treated for any condition, they can participate,” Mr. Song said. “But at an international school, students travel abroad frequently, making some students ineligible to participate.”

Even with those limits, the drive generated meaningful student engagement. As MEDSOC’s first partnership with the Red Cross, it raised the profile of blood donation on campus and paved the way for more health-focused events at the school.