FROM LEFT: Phlebotomist Sergio Ramirez chats with blood donor Border Patrol Agent Glen Ufland during the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Wednesday at Fairfield Inn & Suites in El Centro. (Joselito Villero) |
Alonso Holguin waited to do more than give back to the community Wednesday. He was among a throng of people who waited to donate blood.
“Just to help out people in need,” said the 17-year-old Imperial resident. “I might be helping somebody in the future.”
Holguin wasn’t the only person in an altruistic mood as many people showed up at the Fairfield Inn in El Centro for the first Battle of the Badges Blood Drive.
Hosted by the American Red Cross and the El Centro Sector Border Patrol the event was put on in conjunction with the Imperial Valley Food Bank that received donations of nonperishable food item.
Sylvia Preciado, service manager of the American Red Cross in El Centro, couldn’t hold back her glee in seeing how many people showed up for the blood drive.
A number of Border Patrol agents as well as U.S. marshals donated blood which Preciado said can be done every 60 days.
Forty people were scheduled to come in and donate blood but Preciado said there was way more people who showed up.
“We’ve had a wonderful, wonderful outpouring of walk-ins,” Preciado said. “This is beautiful.”
Border Patrol Agent Jores D. Peters, a community liaison representative, explained the Border Patrol had been approached by the Red Cross to host the blood drive.
“It’s an opportunity to donate blood and give back to the community,” Peters said.
Liz Robinson, of Holtville, also felt the same way.
While filling out forms before she got to donate blood, Robinson explained that she is in good health and that it “doesn’t cost her anything” to donate.
“You never know when somebody is going to be in the need for blood,” Robinson said.
Claudia Macias, a community partnership and resource manager at Calipatria State Prison, said donating blood is a simple way of helping someone out at a time of need.
“It’s an easy way to save people’s lives and help out the community,” Macias said.
“Just to help out people in need,” said the 17-year-old Imperial resident. “I might be helping somebody in the future.”
Holguin wasn’t the only person in an altruistic mood as many people showed up at the Fairfield Inn in El Centro for the first Battle of the Badges Blood Drive.
Hosted by the American Red Cross and the El Centro Sector Border Patrol the event was put on in conjunction with the Imperial Valley Food Bank that received donations of nonperishable food item.
Sylvia Preciado, service manager of the American Red Cross in El Centro, couldn’t hold back her glee in seeing how many people showed up for the blood drive.
A number of Border Patrol agents as well as U.S. marshals donated blood which Preciado said can be done every 60 days.
Forty people were scheduled to come in and donate blood but Preciado said there was way more people who showed up.
“We’ve had a wonderful, wonderful outpouring of walk-ins,” Preciado said. “This is beautiful.”
Border Patrol Agent Jores D. Peters, a community liaison representative, explained the Border Patrol had been approached by the Red Cross to host the blood drive.
“It’s an opportunity to donate blood and give back to the community,” Peters said.
Liz Robinson, of Holtville, also felt the same way.
While filling out forms before she got to donate blood, Robinson explained that she is in good health and that it “doesn’t cost her anything” to donate.
“You never know when somebody is going to be in the need for blood,” Robinson said.
Claudia Macias, a community partnership and resource manager at Calipatria State Prison, said donating blood is a simple way of helping someone out at a time of need.
“It’s an easy way to save people’s lives and help out the community,” Macias said.
