The American Red Cross of held a blood donation drive at Schenectady County Community College on Monday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elston Hall.
Students, faculty and staff were present at the donation center as Red Cross workers drew blood in hopes of reaching their goal of 29 units for the day.
Its been steady and we will get what we can, said Supervisor of Operations of the Albany Red Cross Annazette Allen. `If we can leave with one unit of blood it’s worth it because one unit of blood can save three lives.`
`My life was saved by this program, so I can’t not donate,` said SCCC student Stacy Heller. Heller stated that this program helped her after she was in a car crash, `without this program I wouldn’t be here,` she said.
`I started in high school and I do it as much as I can because I know people need blood,` said SCCC student Caitlin Cox. `My dad was in an accident and there was a shortage in his blood type and after seeing that if I’m able to I will donate blood.`
`It’s a worthwhile cause, especially during the holidays,` said Associate Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences and advisor to student services Mark Stein. Stein stated that the SVO has worked closely with the Red Cross to volunteer students to sign students up to give blood and help give out food after community members have donated blood.
According to Gail Kirby, the Apheresis recruiter for the New York and Pennsylvania Region Red Cross, the Red Cross will be back at the college in February of 2010 and believes that the drive will come close to their goal of 29 units for the day with 40 people coming through the door for the day’s event.`The turnout has been steady,` said Kirby, `What’s important is coming close to the goal. We should come close to our productive goals.`
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