Vanessa Arriola
Pierce College, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, is hosting a blood drive on campus, today. Both establishments are determined to get the word out to students.
Many people do not take the time to donate blood for several reasons. Some of the reasons they choose not to donate are: they are never personally asked, it is not convenient, or they are simply scared.
Thanks to Pierce, its faculty and the Associated Students Organization, the upcoming blood drive may have a reasonable turnout.
Joe Armenta, a Red Cross donor recruitment associate, said it helps when teachers give students incentives to donate.
“Some (teachers) give extra credit,” said Armenta.
Lorena Gonzalez, a business major, said she was not aware of professors making it a part of the course.
“Not any of my professors,” said Gonzalez.
Teachers aren’t the only ones doing their part to help the blood drives. The ASO is also there to help the Red Cross.
“They’ve been great,” Armenta said. “ASO does most of the recruiting for us.”
According to Armenta, the ASO representatives talk to teachers and students as well as going to the clubs to help sponsor the drive. So why is there such a need for these blood drives on college campuses?
“There is a blood shortage,” Armenta said. “In California, the populace is high and 4 percent of the population donates.”
That is why the Red Cross visits many college campuses and high schools throughout the San Fernando Valley.
“Colleges and high schools are our bread and butter,” commented Armenta. “They’re good blood donors.”
Roxanne Villafuerte, a liberal studies student, recalled the Red Cross going to her high school once a year and hosting a blood drive.
“They would come by and, believe it or not, a lot of us donated,” said Villafuerte.
By going to college campuses once a month, they can collect as much as 40 pints of blood per visit.
“Compared to the size of the school, it’s a small number,” Armenta said, “but it is a good amount.”
The amount of blood they collect could be greater if students knew the requirements to be eligible to donate.
On the American Red Cross Web site, it lists the three main requirements to be able to donate: be 17 years or older, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in generally good health.
There is a misconception that those with tattoos or piercings cannot donate blood.
Armenta said there is some truth to that. People with tattoos need to wait 12 months before they can donate.
Those with piercings do not have to wait, as long as it was done in a sterile environment.
The blood drive will take place at the Campus Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All eligible donors are asked to stop by.