The school’s annual blood drive drew about 175 student donors Friday to help the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.

Every year, the center’s mobile buses pull up to the front of the school to collect blood and plasma to help people who need it.

“It’s been a tradition,” Family and Community Services sponsor Lori Niles said, “a way for the students to help the community.”

School nurse Natalie Kuhn said the San Antonio area needed blood donations.

“It’s a great organization,” Kuhn said. “As San Antonio is a hotbed for trauma centers, it’s cool to see our students participate in that.”

Each pint of blood can help save three lives, center officials said. FACS students helped set up the donation process and escorted donors to their classes after donating blood.

“It’s the fact that they’re willing to help others,” junior Clarissa Smith said.