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news:
Blood flows to
VA
By Alex Roman
On-line Forty-Niner
Building on efforts
begun by Sigma Alpha Epsilon last fall, Cal State Long Beach
fraternities and sororities have now donated 47 pints of blood
this year to the local Veteran's Affairs Hospital.
"We decided
last semester to help out the VA Hospital because we saw that
they were in need of blood," said Bill Kahale, president
of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. "Afterwards, we thought it was
a good idea, so we decided to continue it every semester."
A total of 19 pints
of blood were collected during last fall's initial pledge
drive and another 28 pints were added this semester. The VA
hospital was very thankful in the fall because they were in
the midst of a worldwide blood shortage.
Even though they
are no longer suffering from a lack of blood, VA Hospital
Donor Relations Coordinator Debbie Ludke said they are just
as grateful this semester.
"It's just
a huge help," Ludke said. "We really appreciate
the fact that they've taken the time and want to do this to
help the veterans."
The blood drive
coincided with the Greeks' spring sorority volleyball tournament
as well as Philanthropy Week. Each Greek who donated blood
was awarded points by the organization.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon's
decision to help the VA, which is located next to CSULB, was
an attempt to do something closer to the community.
"We were donating
to another charity, but felt that our contributions weren't
really being appreciated," said Kahale. "We felt
we wanted to do something in the community and that it would
be a great idea to help somebody so close to our campus."
The donated blood
will be used to treat the hospital's patients and depending
on their needs, each pint of blood could potentially benefit
up to three people, Ludke said.
Ludke also added
that even without a blood shortage, they are always in need
of blood and hoped the CSULB community might be able to help.
"It's a lot
easier than you think it's going to be. Many people are just
afraid of needles," Ludke said. "But it's a good
way for college students who want to help and don't have a
lot of money. The whole process takes about 45 minutes and
the actual blood drawing takes about five minutes."
Interested donors
can visit the VA Hospital on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every week.
In addition to
the blood, Sigma Alpha Epsilon plans to make a modest financial
donation. Sigma Alpha Epsilon's successful efforts the last
two semesters are just the beginning of a tradition that Kahale
hopes will expand every semester.
"Next semester
we hope to buy a TV or DVD player to help encourage people
to give blood," Kahale said. "Whoever donates the
most will win the TV or DVD player for their fraternity or
sorority's house. We just want to keep doing this and building
on it every semester."
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