Want to help save a life? The city of Santa Maria will host its last 2009 blood drive on Nov. 12 from noon to 5 p.m. in the parking lot next to the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center along South McClelland. The city is asking members of the public to sign up and join city and county employees in donating blood to United Blood Services.
All donors will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a special holiday dinner valued at $200 at the restaurant of their choice, according to a press release from the city and United Blood Services. In addition, all donors will receive a free cholesterol screening.
“Blood donation is a community responsibility. While you’re reading this, someone needs blood. It might be your friend, a relative, a surgery patient, a woman with cancer, a burn victim, or a newborn,” United Blood Services officials said in the release. “Donating only takes a short time and is well worth it.”
According to stats from United Blood Services, about one in seven people who go to the hospital need blood, and blood is needed nationwide every three seconds.
To sign up as a donor with a reserved time, contact Santa Maria city blood drive coordinator Mark van de Kamp at 925-0951, Ext. 372.
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This article appears in Nov 12-19, 2009.