“We’ll be hosting our 3rd American Red Cross Blood Drive this year on April 27th,” advised Marcus Dunlap, Student Government Association Specialist at the San Diego Job Corps Center.  Dunlap, a San Diego native and 2008 Job Corps graduate, recently began his new position at the center, after serving as a center residential advisor for the past year.  Part of his responsibilities includes coordinating center blood drives.

“Last year our students and staff donated 326 pints of blood and our goal this year is 600 units,” Dunlap stated.  “We’ve already donated 151 units this year, so I’m confident we’ll achieve our goals with the drives we have planned for the rest of the year.  This year, for the first time, the blood drives are open to the public, and we had several community members donate at the first two drives.”

“The Red Cross has advised that 20% of the blood used in Southern California comes from the Red Cross blood banks in the Midwest, but with their recent natural disasters, they can not assist Southern California and we must assist them,” advised Job Corps’ Business Community Liaison Frank Buttino. “I’m always impressed with the willingness of our staff and students to donate blood.  Many students donate for the first time, while others have donated numerous times.  Several students volunteer to help advertise the drives, while others help with scheduling appointments and work the day of the drive. The blood drives are part of the community service that is an important component of our program.”

At the last Job Corps Blood Drive, the Red Cross set up the Double Red Cell Donor system which allows people who meet certain criteria to donate two units of red cells during one appointment as an automated donation process.  “Blood is drawn from one arm and channeled through a sterile, single-use collection set to an automated machine,” Dunlap explained.  “The machine separates and collects the two units of red cells and then safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you through the same arm.  The system is specifically designed to assure that you do not give too much blood. It is as safe as whole blood donation, and proven to be efficient and comfortable.”

“Our center recently received awards from the Red Cross for our percentage increase in blood donations for 2011,” Dunlap stated.  ”With student, staff, and community support this year, I’m confident we will achieve, and even surpass our 600 unit goal for the year. As a Job Corps student, community service was an important part of our Job Corps experience,” Dunlap added.  “One of my goals in my new position is to motivate students to take the lead with activities both on and off our center.”

The American Red Cross Blood Drive will take place from 9:00am-3:00pm, Friday, April 27th at the San Diego Job Corps Center located at 1325 Iris Ave.  Members of the community are encouraged to visit the center to donate blood.