Responding to a nation-wide blood shortage, Glendale College participated in a two-day blood drive Wednesday and Thursday.

Response to the blood drive was encouraging. At least 50 units were collected Wednesday and roughly 45 units were expected to be collected Thursday. This surpassed the drive’s goal of 40 people, according to Red Cross nurse Margaret Randal. Randal says that this country is facing a severe blood shortage, especially in Southern California.

“We don’t seem to get enough donors in to take care of our needs,” said Randal.
Many of Wednesday and Thursday’s blood donors were motivated by the events that took place Sept. 11 in New York and Washington, D.C., which, according to Randal, is perhaps the reason why there was an increase in the number of donors.

“The cool thing is that their [donors] heart’s are in it,” said Red Cross volunteer Daniel Estorga.
Glendale College student Fatima Moreno, who on Wednesday came to give blood for the second time since March 2000, says that she likes to help people.

“One day I am going to need blood, and hopefully somebody will donate,” said Moreno.
Estorga believes that recently, there has been a patriotic sense in giving blood. Ever since the Sept. 11 attacks, people have been looking for ways to help out, from donating money, to giving blood. Moreno says that many students who come in to donate, but who are turned away, cry when they are given the news that they cannot, because of high pulse rates, or other medical conditions.
“These young kids are amazing,” he said. “I’ve been here since 8 a.m. (Wednesday) and I’ve seen at least half of the nations come in here. I’ve seen different cultures, different people, and different religions.”

GCC student Jennifer Shin was just passing by when she decided to give blood. She said that she tries to help in any way she can, citing the terrorist attacks as one of the reasons she made the decision to donate .

“I didn’t even have an appointment,” she said. “I just wanted to give blood.”