The Center for Service and Action and Crimson Circle come together to sponsor blood drives each semester and invite the LMU community to donate at this two-day event on Tuesday, Feb. 22 and Wednesday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in St. Robert’s Auditorium. The blood drives are in conjunction with the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center and Be the Match. Every pint can save three lives. Walk-ins are accepted. Sign-up here for Tuesday, Feb, 22 or Wednesday, Feb. 23.
LMU partners with UCLA Health for the blood drive, so the blood donated by students, staff, and faculty will be directly used to help patients at the UCLA Medical Center. Currently, the U.S. faces a critical blood shortage, so every blood donation is needed. UCLA needs blood donations to keep saving lives and helping people.
Jose Carra-Hernandez, a member of Crimson Circle, is donating blood for the second time this year at the blood drive. “I donated for the first time last semester as a Crimson and felt a sense of empowerment knowing my blood will go to important research and in-hospital lifesaving procedures,” said Carra-Hernandez. “I worked as an EMT for more than a year and a half back home before, during, and after my virtual sophomore year and have seen the positive effects of blood availability in the emergency room during a patient’s worst moments. Blood saves lives, and we never know when we may need blood ourselves.”
Another member of Crimson Circle, Anthony Velasco, will be donating blood because “I want to do something to help my community and others,” said Velasco. “The blood I donate can be used to save lives, and I want to be able to help others. Blood is one of the only necessities for life that has no man-made substitute, so when someone needs blood during a surgery or another medical procedure, they must rely on blood that has been donated.”
UCLA recommends donors prepare for their donation by doing the following:
- Eat well the day of donation; do not skip meals.
- Make healthy food choices for the meals before donation including:
- Proteins such as lean meats, cheese, or yogurt;
- Iron-rich foods such as red meat, spinach, and raisins;
- Complex carbohydrates like fruits and iron-fortified cereal.
- Hydration is important:
- Drink plenty of water before and after donation;
- Avoid caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, and cola) on the day of donation.