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By Linda Goss

Why should you donate blood? Simply because it’s an opportunity to do something amazing: save the life of another person.

Time and again, UCLA patients marvel that complete strangers will choose to spend an hour of their time to donate blood for people that they will likely never meet. Those dedicated blood donors understand the importance of their contribution to patient care.

Unfortunately, their dedication is often not enough.

During the summer months when students and families take vacations, the blood supply at UCLA and throughout Southern California is at critically low levels that can significantly impact patient care.

Patients continue to be hospitalized, and they count on UCLA to provide them with the very best care. This includes the availability of blood for transfusion.

One of those patients is Alyssa Gomez, a bright and vivacious 14-year-old girl who requires numerous blood transfusions in her fight against leukemia. She and her parents endure the rigors of cancer treatment with smiles, looking forward to the day when this lovely teenager can continue pursuing her dreams.

Yet without the benefits of state-of-the-art care and the availability of blood for transfusion, their dream will never be realized.

Alyssa told us, “You don’t know how important donating blood is until you’re sick.” Those who can never find the time or are put off by the thought of donating blood should meet Alyssa.

By donating blood, you can do something amazing for Alyssa and the many UCLA patients like her who require nearly 100,000 units of blood each year as part of their medical care.

Come visit us and help to ensure an adequate blood supply throughout the summer months for all of our patients.

Our nurses have decades of experience drawing blood and will make your experience at the UCLA Blood & Platelet Center fantastic!

All donors will receive a movie ticket. UCLA employees will receive four hours of “blood time” for donating.

Also, beginning July 5, all donors will walk out, ready for summer in a pair of UCLA Blood & Platelet Center flip-flops, and those who donate on Tuesday mornings will receive a coupon from Whole Foods for breakfast.

We’re located nearby in Westwood at 1045 Gayley Ave., across the street from Whole Foods. Take the campus shuttle or, if you drive, we will provide parking.

With just a little courage and an hour of your time, you can help save the life of another person. Schedule your appointment today – call 310-825-0888 or send an e-mail to gotblood@ucla.edu.

We look forward to seeing you at the Blood & Platelet Center. Have a wonderful summer!

Goss is the Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator for the UCLA Blood & Platelet Center.