Community Heroes Making a Difference

Heroes can come in all shapes and sizes. Anyone can be that hero simply by donating blood. On August 3rd, the Pan Asian Volunteer Health Clinic (PAVHC) under the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) held their semi-annual blood drive. This is the 7th year CCACC has partnered with the Red Cross, and the event welcomed the support of the community.

This year, CCACC and the Red Cross hoped to reach their goal of 26 units of blood (1 unit = 500ml). Although they did not reach that goal for this blood drive, they are still very grateful to everyone who came. There were 18 people who registered online, 15 who came, and one who registered on site, for a total of 16 people. Through this event, they were able to acquire 13 units of blood which is estimated to be able to save the lives of 39 people.

At this event, there was a CCACC volunteer who received an email the day prior and decided to come. She’d always wanted to donate blood but never knew where to go, so she was happy that she finally got the chance to make a difference.

There was a donor who claimed this was his 168th time donating blood. He feels that donating blood is natural and is his responsibility, making it a worthwhile thing to do.

Another donor stated that being able to donate blood is a sign that she is still healthy and that she can help others. She also encourages her three sons to donate blood as well, because you never know who’s going to need the blood; it may be a relative or even you.

There was also a couple from Taiwan who donated blood multiple times in the past. “We have a lot of blood, so we might as well donate to lose some weight,” they joked. As they joked, you could see the contentment radiating from them like a sign of blessing.

Many of CCACC’s board members, employees, and volunteers showed up to support the blood drive. CCACC would also like to thank the alumnus from Peking University and Jiao Tong University, who come out and support every year.

Donating blood is a meaningful activity. As long as you’re healthy and your blood passes the regulations, you can help those in need of a blood transfusion. A normal healthy person’s body continuously creates new blood cells – red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets – and each of these cells has their lifespan before being discarded by the body. The Red Cross states that you can donate blood as often as once every 8 weeks which provides the body enough time to recover. Donating blood doesn’t damage one’s health and it can help save lives, making it a win-win situation.

CCACC’s “Donate Blood, Save a Life” event brings the community together to work for the greater good. We hope to see you at our next blood drive!