(November 1, 2006) -- A clean scent wafts towards your nose.  It seems familiar, yet it’s oddly out of place in the auditeria that usually smells of Asian bar delights.  You look around and see tables piled high with IV packages and plastic tubing, an area for refreshments—and sitting in a chair, a student scrupulously ignoring the blood pouring out of her  arm into a plastic bag.

Last Friday was the 4th annual Clark Blood Drive.  More than 50 students over the age of 17 and a few adults donated blood to the Red Cross to help the community blood banks and hospitals in a four-step donation process.  Students were given a pamphlet on the rules, regulations and requirements for donating blood.  Then one of the nurses took a detailed medical history and a blood sample to test for fitness to donate.  If they passed the preliminary examination they were led to the donation chairs, where a pint of blood was drawn.

“I was nervous and kind of scared at first,” said senior Taleen Aghazarian. “I didn’t even really want to do it.  I know, however, that it’s for a good cause, so I donated anyway.”

Afterwards, donors were given food and drinks in the “cantina.”  Treats such as juice, water, cookies and sandwiches were provided to help students recover from the blood loss.  Students took this opportunity to reflect on the experience.

“It didn’t hurt, but you could feel the needle there,” said senior Andrew Kukawsky.

It may seem like a small effort, but every pint helps.  Senior Account Manager for the event, Jeri Hernandez, said that the blood supply in a community comes only from volunteers. Every pint goes towards helping accident victims, premature babies and transfusion candidates—a fact not unknown to students.

“I have the universal donor—O negative—and I know it can save lives,” said senior Troy Minassian.  “That’s why I donated.”