Jeff Sandstoe / Roundup
The American Red Cross collected 32 units of blood from donators during a blood drive Thursday in the Great Hall.
This was the third blood drive at the Great Hall during the semester, bringing the total units of donated blood to 135, according to Amr Abushami, chair of the Associated Students Organization’s Public Welfare committee and the student behind the planning of the blood drive.
The donation turnout did not have a warm start.
“The morning was very discouraging, but it picked up in the afternoon,” said Alan, an American Red Cross volunteer who chose not to provide his last name.
The amount of donators present surpassed that of California State University, Northridge’s blood drive, which took place the day prior and had a turnout Alan described as “disappointing.”
Alan, a volunteer for nearly nine years, encouraged students who came into the Great Hall to donate.
“Got nothing else to do? Why not save a life?,” he asked.
Pamela Ramos, 18, a pre-vet student, donated for her first time Thursday.
“I’ve always wanted to donate but I just never have,” said Ramos, noting how she never had an opportunity to donate before. “I just came to school to turn in a paper to my teacher and saw the signs.”
Donators received a voucher for free ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery and had the option to enter a raffle for a $500 American Express gift card.
Although the next blood drive on campus is not yet scheduled, it is expected to take place “after 56 days or roughly two months from the last donation time,” said Sarah Shamilyan, an American Red Cross employee.
As previously reported on theroundupnews.com, Pierce was competing in a “Campus Challenge” against other community colleges to see who could donate the most blood.
“We won,” Abushami said.