Ever since I was younger, I knew that I wanted to be in the medical field.

Elyssa Nguyen

By Patricia Fontejon

The Red Cross Club will host a blood drive at GHC’s Career Fair on December 2. They have already raised over 100 units of blood with previous drives and hope to continue that success at the Career Fair.

The Red Cross Club has a prominent presence within the Granada Hills Charter (GHC) environment and helps students participate in activities that align with humanitarian efforts and services.

The Red Cross Club focuses on serving its community. For example, last year, club members participated in the Ventura Heart Walk to raise money for heart cancer patients. 

The American Red Cross organization was founded in 1863 by Henry Dunant Dunant, a Swiss businessman inspired by his experiences during the Battle of Solferino in Italy. At first, the Red Cross’s main goal was to provide medical assistance to injured soldiers during war times. Over time, however, the Red Cross undertook other ventures, such as supporting people affected by natural disasters and health emergencies. To engage young people and spread awareness, Red Cross clubs were then established in schools, allowing students to learn about humanitarian principles and have played a crucial role in fostering a sense of responsibility among students. GHC’s Red Cross Club was founded by current senior Elyssa Nguyen in 2022. 

“Throughout my life, my passion for helping others was amplified due to experiencing deaths in the family caused by breast cancer,” senior and President Elyssa Nguyen said. “With that in mind, I wanted to be involved in something that could prepare me for medical school.” 

The Red Cross aims to protect and prevent disasters from happening and support the community, by helping raise blood for people who are going through surgery. 

“When we first started, we participated in the Rose Parade,” senior and Vice President Emma Ngyuen said. “We also went to lower-income neighborhoods to teach them how to be safe when there is an earthquake or fire, along with installing free fire alarms.”

By participating in the Red Cross Club, students can gain valuable life lessons, such as learning about the importance of compassion and empathy and helping others in need. Additionally, by attending blood drives and club meetings, students can gain insight into the challenges people face globally. 

Overall, the Red Cross Club shapes students into compassionate, responsible, and active members of their communities.