Blood Donor Joann Eldart has seen firsthand how blood donations can save a life. Her husband had a ruptured colon and was given seven pints of blood before medical professionals were even able to diagnose his problem. After that incident, Eldart knew she had another purpose in life.
“I said after I will give blood whenever I can,” said Eldart.
Eldart was one of some 60 people who came to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Santa Clarita on Sunday to give blood. Alicia Rosado, a registered nurse with American Red Cross, expects at least 52 units to be donated, consisting of 16 ounces, or one pint each, making a total of 832 ounces.
She said the American Red Cross is very grateful for these donations, especially because hospitals are experiencing a critical shortage of blood.
“We’re totally dependent,” said Rosado.
And the Santa Clarita Valley community responded to that critical shortage, such as Ashish Mehta, who donated blood as a celebration of life.
“It’s in (my grandmother’s) memory that I donate,” he said.
He gets such a pleasure out of donating often that he considers it a hobby. In fact, this is his 12th time donating since 2010.
“If you like it, you can pursue it as a hobby,” said Mehta.
For a list of American Red Cross blood drives near you, please visit their website.
