Please Take My Blood

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Kiyoshi Koiwai in News

Casey Koiwai

Angie Quintanilla

Brandon Argueta

Crimson Chronicle Reporters

The Red Cross comes to our school twice a year to receive blood donations from students, staff, and visitors. They collect a pint of blood from each volunteer. Before the Blood Drive, leadership goes around asking students their preferred period to donate. The Red Cross requires volunteers to meet a certain height and weight category to be eligible to donate.

Melba Borgonia, an advisor at the Blood Drive, who has been volunteering for Red Cross for over 17 years, stated that after the blood is donated, it is transported to Pomona and is stored for three days while it is tested for various viruses and components that can be dangerous to the patient who receives the blood. It is then shipped to many hospitals, to be given to patients in need of the blood. 

Several students were a little nervous to donate blood since it was their first time.There were also those who were ecstatic like Karen Estaquio and the Hollywood Lokas (includes Patty, Adriana, Wendy, and Hirana); they are examples of how excited people can get to donate blood. And then some were just calm about donating, like Jun Lee or Keion Rodriguez, who said they felt “normal” or “fine” while waiting. Before getting blood drawn, make sure to eat a balanced meal, like the Hollywood Lokas; they made sure to eat “plenty of good foods and drank a lot of water.” On the other hand, Tegria said he ate a “small breakfast which was not substantial” and made it difficult after he got his blood drawn.

Monica Martinez, the leadership coordinator of the blood drive, spoke with us about the Blood Drive and the achievements this can do for others. She said that the goal is “150 pints” and “collectively, students, staff,and visitors donated 117 pints [of blood].” This may seem close to the goal and volunteers should feel proud that their blood can make a difference. She also mentioned it is an important event because “it provides a source of blood to hospitals, which are currently low.”

Many people wonder why a person would donate blood. Borgonia said that it is good to donate blood because, “It is a gift of life, people should give because it is a way of loving people from your heart.” Karen Estaquio said she it is “cool to help people out” and to be “aware [of a situation] at this age.” Jennifer Fong and Lucia Alcalze said “to help people.” Keion Rodriguez said “the burgers” and “to help people” draws him to donate blood.

“There will be a spring drive in April. Donators will receive a free t-shirt and food! Alyx donators will get a Double-Double.” -Monica Martinez