By Misty DUPLESSIS

On Nov. 13, the Huntington Memorial Hospital Blood Donor Center set up a blood drive at the CV Sheriff’s Station parking lot. HMH staff was available between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to collect donations for its blood bank in Pasadena.

The mobile donation center offers a faster and more convenient way to donate by setting up designated blood drives several times a week.

Healthy adults were encouraged to donate at the portable facility and some as young as 17 years old are able to donate at one of the mobile centers with parental consent.

For the last 10 years, volunteer sheriff Bill Latuf has donated blood. Each time a blood donation center comes to the station, Latuf is one of the first volunteers to sign up.

“It’s a good cause. If something happened to one of the deputies here, I want to help out,” said Latuf, adding that he would suggest that anyone looking to donate should eat before attempting to give blood.

Huntington Hospital Mobile Operations Specialist Sheldon Rivera helps oversee the stations to make sure the areas are suitable and also helps with registration.

“[Those looking to donate] should eat first and be well hydrated with water, stay away from caffeine and make sure to not have any sickness and no recent body piercings or tattoos,” said Rivera.

The entire process takes about 35-40 minutes, with much of that time being used to fill out paperwork and determine if donors qualify.

The turnout this time around was a little slower than usual, but the center already has other planned stops for the week.

Those looking to donate, but could not make it out on this date can either go to their facility in Pasadena or attend the blood drive on Tues. Nov. 27 at Pasadena City College.

For more information, please contact the Huntington Memorial Hospital’s Blood Donor Center.

  MISTY DUPLESSIS