The Red Cross will almost double the number of blood drives in
Hollister this year in hopes of doubling donations the organization
already receives from the community annually, according to the CEO
of the Northern California Red Cross.
Hollister – The Red Cross will almost double the number of blood drives in Hollister this year in hopes of doubling donations the organization already receives from the community annually, according to the CEO of the Northern California Red Cross.
“As much as anything, the decision to increase the number of blood drives was based on the fact that the city of Hollister does have a high percentage of donation. The chapter office disaster-relief side had suggested that we could do more in Hollister given the track record there,” said Kathryn Cale, a communications specialist with the Northern California Red Cross. “With Hollister in particular, it’s really the willingness of the community to support this effort and to work with us. We’re trying to enhance the good relationship we’ve had in the past.”
Hollister donates about 300 units of blood a year, according to Northern California Red Cross CEO Katherine Crull. Cale couldn’t say how this compared to other counties, however, because of the differences in size and population between areas.
She did say that in previous years, the organization has actually had to turn donors away in Hollister because they had more than they could handle. But by increasing the frequency of drives, she said, the Red Cross is confident it will be able to welcome all donors this year.
This year the Red Cross will hold 12 drives instead of the usual seven, and will rotate sites between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Cienega Road and the Ridgemark Golf and Tennis Club.
By upping the number of Hollister drives and holding the them at rotating locations, the Red Cross hopes to make it convenient for anyone to donate blood.
“Fifty percent of us will need blood one day, but only five percent of the population donates,” Crull said at Monday’s Hollister City Council meeting and Tuesday’s San Benito County Board of Supervisors meeting.
Both the City Council and the Board of Supervisors issued proclamations earlier this week declaring January National Volunteer Blood Donor month in Hollister and San Benito County.
January has been recognized nationally as Volunteer Blood Donor month since 1970, according to a Red Cross press release.
Drives will be held the first Thursday of every month, with the exception of one drive on Friday, April 1. In odd-numbered months, drives will be at the LDS Church, and in even months they will be at Ridgemark.
Donors should be at least 17 years old and weight at least 110 pounds. To schedule an appointment for donation, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.beadonor.com on the Internet.
Jessica Quandt covers politics for the Free Lance. Reach her at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or at [email protected].
