“I’m very familiar with the Red Cross as I was a lifeguard for them before entering Job Corps,” advised San Diego Job Corps student Ashley Brown.  Brown is enrolled in the center’s Medical Administrative Assistant Career Technical Training program and volunteered at the center’s Red Cross Blood Drive on February 26, 2013.  “Helping to save peoples’ lives is important to me, and it’s the reason I will be entering the medical field when I graduate.”

“We have a blood drive each month on center,” advised Medical Administrative Assistant instructor Camille Jackson, “and my students volunteer to recruit students and staff, as well as help throughout the day of the drive.  Ms. Jackson’s students have received praise from the Red Cross for their excellent work at each blood drive.  “They enjoy taking part in the drives and its good experience for them as they prepare for their future careers, “she added.

Last year the San Diego Center hosted nine blood drives and collected 687 units of blood.  142 pints have been collected at the center’s first two drives of 2013.  The center will host 12 drives this year with the goal of 800 pints being donated by students, staff, and community members. 

While many students and staff members donate blood on a regular basis, 23 year old Fernando Anaya was one of the students donating for the first time.  Anaya is enrolled in the center’s Nursing Assistant program, and after earning his Certified Nursing Assistant Certification will enter the Navy.  He qualified to donate blood in the Red Cross’ Double Red Cell Donor system.  It allows donors who meet certain criteria to donate two units of red cells during one appointment as an automated donation process.  “It’s a good feeling to know that I am helping to save the lives of others,” Anaya stated.

Job Corps’ next Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Thursday, March 28th from 9:30am-3:30pm at the center’s gymnasium.  Community members are welcome to donate at the center which is located at 1325 Iris Avenue in Imperial Beach, CA.