Christmas is the time of giving. That is exactly why people are donating their blood for others this holiday season.

Xavier High School and Kennedy High School have an annual blood drive battle to try and see who can donate the most blood for those in need. This took place on December 9 and 10 this year.

The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center provides locations for people to donate blood throughout certain areas of the Midwest. Each year, Xavier and Kennedy hold a competition called the Battle of 42nd Street Blood Drive. By promoting the cause as a competition, they hope to gain more volunteers and more blood for those in need.

“I think it is very important to donate blood in order to help save lives,” senior Maria Brown said. “Helping with sign ups is the least I can do to help save lives.”

This was Brown’s first year helping with the sign up process. She reached out to people to try and get others to donate blood. She wanted to help this organization because she knows one donation can help save up to 3 lives.

“December is the slowest month for donors, so they came up with this with the intention of donating blood in a creative way,” Xavier High School Nurse Kris Naeve said.

Senior Quinn Hanigan finds this organization really important because her father is a doctor, so she understands the need for blood.

“I think it’s important because it helps people in need,” Hanigan said. “I am able to give in a situation where others may be unable to give. It feels good to know that I am giving to a cause that I may someday need.”

In total, the two schools donated 75 units of blood, the biggest turnout since 2014. Kennedy won this year with 40 units of blood donated.

The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center accepts donations throughout the entire year. Anyone can donate anytime during the year by finding a place near them on www.bloodcenter.org.