Cerritos College is the second best college in Southern California for donating blood, according to Rob Torrez, senior field manager for the Red Cross.
During the last campaign that took place in November, more than 300 pints of blood were collected; this time the target is to collect more than 400 pints of blood.
The blood drive campaign started on Monday and will run until Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“I have been donating blood since one year ago. I really feel good to help somebody, I think everyone should donate blood,” Nallely Badillo, sociology major, said.
The Valentine’s Day blood drive is the biggest blood drive compared to blood drives that have occured in other months.
The ICC club plays a main role in supporting the blood drive every semester.
Each year school clubs have a contest to see who can bring more people to donate blood. The Red Cross gives a crystal blood drop to the winning club and a pizza party to other clubs who participated.
Overall, a total amount of 700 pints have been collected since 2010 until the beginning of 2011.
Sergio Nevarez, mechanics major, said, “Some students are scared of needles. I just want to tell them to think of happy places and it’s just a poke and, really quick, you won’t feel anything.”
“This time the campaign is not doing it in the Student Activity Center. Instead it’s inside the bus, which limits the space and results in less collection of blood,” Torrez said.
Ninety eight percent of donors are Cerritos College students and 2 percent are from the community.
Laura Ballat, paralegal studies major, said, “We don’t have money to donate, so we can donate blood to help the needy and it’s free.”
Juliet Wish, nursing major, said, “I donate blood three times a year. I feel so good about donating blood thinking that I am helping people.”
Anyone who is willing to donate blood should weigh 110 pounds or more, should be 18 years of age or older and must have any type of student I.D.
Other requirements include: a person has had to live in the U.S. for at least three years and should not have any fresh tattoos.
