Posted on Dec 13, 2006

Campus supports blood drive

Thirty students, staff and faculty turned out to donate blood last week, despite the crush of end-of-semester work.

A mobile donor unit from Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula spent three hours on campus as part of its holiday blood drive. Between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day, the hospital's goal is to collect 600 units.

"The hospital has been coming here for a number of years, and it's always been successful," said Flo Miller, campus health service administrator.

The hospital collected 24 units of blood in the three hours it was on campus. Some potential donors had to be turned away for a variety of reasons - they'd recently traveled to an area where malaria is prevalent; they've had a tattoo recently; they h

Student Jeremy Albrecht was one of 24 members of the campus community to give blood.

ad a low blood count, etc.

"We were pleased that the turnout was so good. It hasn't been that high in the p ast," said Nancy Shammas, donor recruiter for Community Hospital.

Officials at the hospital remind us that blood donation is an important way for healthy people to help their community. Blood cannot be manufactured; the only way to keep up with the demand is through regular blood donations from healthy volunteer donors.

Colleen Jozaitis, a student who was waiting in line with a friend, said she was there because "giving blood is a really cool thing to do." Other members of the campus community apparently agree.

Anyone who missed the opportunity last week can visit the hospital's Monterey facility, at 576 Hartnell St., to give blood. Call 625-4814 to make an appointment.

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