Posted on Dec 14, 2007

Forty students, staff and faculty members of California State University, Monterey Bay turned out to donate blood Dec. 12, despite the crush of end-of-semester work.

A donor team staffed by the American Red Cross spent the afternoon in the Alumni and Visitors Center as part of its holiday blood drive.

They collected 30 units of blood. Some potential donors had to be turned away (or "deferred," as the Red Cross staff members said) for a variety of reasons - they've had a tattoo recently, they had a low blood count, were getting over a cold, etc.

"We were pleased with the turnout," said Sherrie Pfefferkorn, charge nurse with the Red Cross. "We definitely plan on doing this again."

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 donations from healthy volunteer donors.

"I think everyone should help someone in some way. This is one of the easiest ways I can help someone," said freshman Emily Selander.

The blood drive was co-sponsored by Omega Delta Phi-AK fraternity and its service chair, Efren Camacho; the Campus Health Center; and the Alumni and Visitors Center.