Volunteer & Service Center Recognized
American Red Cross Honors Student-Run Blood Donation Program
For its work to heighten campus awareness about giving lifesaving blood, Cal State Fullerton’s Volunteer & Service Center has been recognized by the American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern California region.
The center recently was awarded an honorable mention in the university category for the most units of blood collected at a single site.
“Our blood drive project has been steadily growing over the last few years, as we’ve put more time and effort into recruiting volunteers and donors,” said Amy Mattern, coordinator of the university’s Volunteer & Service Center. “In 2007-08, the student leaders truly dedicated themselves to making it our biggest year ever, and their hard work, creativity and commitment really paid off.”
Last year, the center held 14 blood drives and collected 472 pints of blood. The blood drives engaged 710 individuals as volunteers and/or blood donors who contributed a total of 1,195 hours of service.
“The Volunteer & Service Center works to serve our community and foster a sense of social responsibility in students,” Mattern said. “To see so many hundreds of students willing to give of their personal time to donate blood, in order to save lives of others, shows that the message is being heard and answered.”
The Volunteer & Service Center program, in partnership with American Red Cross Blood Services, is designed to increase awareness about the importance of donating blood. Volunteers help to save lives by recruiting students, faculty and staff members, along with community members, during monthly blood drives or by donating themselves, said Mattern, who added that each donor potentially saves three lives.
Red Cross officials noted that Mattern has been “a wonderful ambassador” for its blood donation efforts, that because of her “enthusiasm and support and her ability to choose amazing student directors, Cal State Fullerton blood drives have continued to grow.”
The following students served as 2007-08 project directors: human services major Stephanie Brown of Fullerton, communications major Rosie Chuong of Tustin, health science major Eileen Santos of Norwalk, biological science major Ishita Shukla of Diamond Bar and Corona resident Sarena Gomez, who graduated in August with a bachelor’s degree in human services.
This year’s project directors are hoping to beat the high standard set last year and already are having great success this fall, Mattern said. For the fall semester alone, blood drives held in September, October and November netted 472 pints of blood.
The next campus blood drive is scheduled for Jan. 14.
Additional information is available from the Volunteer & Service Center at 657-278-7623, or online: http://www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/volunteer/index.html.
Media Contacts:
Amy Mattern, Volunteer & Service Center, 657-278-7623 or amattern@fullerton.edu
Debra Cano Ramos, Public Affairs, 657-278-4027 or dcanoramos@fullerton.edu
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