Thursday, May 28, 2009 By Christine Yi A registered nurse prepares senior Erika Avadessians to give blood at Clark's blood donation drive. Avadessians was one of 48 who donated this year. - Wafiqah Basrai Advertising Blood drive donations two short of 50 (February 23, 2004) -- Forty students and eight staff members rolled up their sleeves on Friday to give blood at Clark’s second annual blood drive, sponsored by USC Medical Center in conjunction with Glendale Memorial Hospital. The donated blood went directly to Glendale Memorial Hospital. The blood drive was held in the auditeria from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A team of two registered nurses and ten phlebotomists conducted the blood drive. Six to eight donors donated at a time. Before and after donating blood, donators were served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips, cookies, and drinks. After donating, they were given a complimentary gift of either two Baskin Robbins coupons or a blood donor shirt. Donators were examined by the team before donating, making sure they had the correct iron level and met all the requirements to give blood. According to Glendale Memorial Hospital blood drive director and recruiter Armando Hernandez, there has been a blood shortage throughout Southern California, especially in Los Angeles. “Believe it or not, [there has been a shortage] after the 9/11 attacks. After a few months the hype died down,” said Hernandez. Hernandez said that only about 3% of the population donates blood. Normally, a hospital should have a 7- to 10-day supply of blood. However, Los Angeles county hospitals only have a 24- to 48-hour supply. Other high schools in the district, including Crescenta Valley, Glendale and Hoover participate in the blood drive twice a year.

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