HarborTides

Posted in: News on 4/23/09 at 2:34 PM PST

The ASO blood drive was successful once again.

If you donated blood last week at the Los Angeles Harbor College Blood Drive you can pat yourself on the back for saving lives.

The event was held on the second floor of the Seahawk Center. This marks the second time the Associated Students Organization and Kaiser Permanente hospital teamed up to host a blood-giving campaign.

Posters, flyers and banners were placed throughout campus informing students about the April 14 affair.

ASO office manager Angeles Zesati and ASO Senator Estevan Robledo paired up to organize the Blood Drive after a bill was proposed by Robledo and ratified by the Student Senate.

"I enjoy helping others," Robledo said as he made his way to the Seahawk Center to donate. "I wanted to create an opportunity for students to help out as well. That's what got me into the Student Senate."

Three lives are saved for every pint of blood donated. A pint is 16 ounces. The human body holds a total of 13 pints of blood.

"Blood contains platelets, plasma and red cells," said Armando L. Hernandez, Blood Donor Recruitment Coordinator for Kaiser Permanente. "Platelets help stop bleeding and children with leukemia, plasma is used for burn victims and allows the blood to circulate, and red cells are for emergency room blood transfusions."

The first time Harbor College asked students to give blood was the fall semester, 2008. The reason was to support former LAHC football coach Andrew Alvillar's son, Felix Anthony Alvillar.

A total of 107 units of blood were collected. One unit equals one blood bag, roughly a pint. The projected goal this year was 50 to 60 units.

Students had to meet certain requirements and consult a screen nurse before being sent to the drawing station or bleeding area to give blood.

Afterward students recuperated for 15 minutes and were offered bottles of water to re-hydrate. Every contributor received a free T-shirt.

The Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society held a fundraiser alongside the Blood Drive and aided famished donors by selling burgers and other snacks.

Many students were enthusiastic about participating. "I've always donated blood," LAHC student Mohammed Badran said. "I give all I can."

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