Samo ASB hosts annual UCLA blood drive

On Dec. 12, the UCLA Health Community Blood Drive was open to students from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., partnering with Samo ASB to give students the opportunity to be a part of the 30,000 volunteers that donate life saving supplies of blood every year. Located in Los Angeles, UCLA prides itself on the locality of these life changing drives, welcoming churches, workplaces, schools and community events to host a blood drive. 

Donating blood helps save around 4.5 million Americans annually, with one pint of blood saving up to three people. ASB member Tegan Blaine (’26) explained the necessity of these blood drives.

“You go in and donate a pint of your own blood, but it really helps out in the long term. Blood transfusions can use up to 60 pints of blood at a minimum, so if we get 60 students to donate, that's only one blood transfusion and millions of people need transfusions every day,” Blaine said. “It's a small step, but it's really important in saving lives.”

Imani Toler / The Samohi

Donating a single pint of blood has the capacity to save three lives.