After donating blood, Andy Senanyake, 17, was escorted by a nurse to an area where he would be watched for medical reactions.

The next 10 to 15 minutes is a crucial moment for a donor, said Mike Forrester, the director of volunteer services at the Roanoke Valley American Red Cross. If a donor has a reaction after donating blood, the symptoms must be reported to the nurse immediately to protect the donor’s health.

That’s where volunteers like Neeraj Nandanan step in to assist nurses.

Neeraj, 16, monitored Andy, a friend and classmate at Hidden Valley High School, during the time when donors may experience reactions from donating blood. Neeraj gave Andy, also a volunteer with the American Red Cross, the same attention he would any donor.

He made sure Andy remained hydrated, asked him health-related questions and tried to make sure Andy was comfortable with casual conversation .

There are 20 high school volunteers out of the 900 Red Cross volunteers throughout the Roanoke Valley, including Neeraj and Andy. Forrester said those 20 have been crucial assets to the Red Cross, providing services ranging from clerical work to assisting nurses and help with disaster relief.

Neeraj, a junior, began volunteering with the Roanoke chapter of the nonprofit after his brother, Naveen Nandanan, a former Red Cross volunteer, suggested he become involved in community organizations.

Now after two years of volunteer work, Neeraj said his experience has provided him an opportunity for personal and professional growth even though his career interest isn’t in the medical industry.

“Even if you don’t like it, it’s about commitment,” Neeraj said.

He said his parents advised him about volunteering. “If you back out on things after commitments, that will be your practice for life. It’s a disciplining of the will.”

Neeraj now sits on the Roanoke Valley Chapter board of directors for the American Red Cross and is one of three teenagers given the opportunity in the past decade. His brother was one of those three who have served a two-year term on the board.

The experience has pushed Neeraj to become more outgoing and open, he said, and while serving he has encouraged his peers to volunteer when possible. Andy was one person he recruited.

Forrester made the recommendation for Neeraj to sit on the board and said he has seen the teenager adjust to his roles and responsibilities.

“They come in here as kids,” Forrester said. “By the time they understand what we’re really doing, I couldn’t get an adult to do a better job.”

Neeraj began with clerical work in the office but was moved to help nurses . No matter how large or small the task assigned, he said, he understands that all work he completes for the organization is beneficial.

“If everyone said they couldn’t change anything, nothing would be accomplished,” he said. “The little things you do make a big difference.”