Victoria College to take part in national blood challenger, Thursday
IF YOU GO
WHAT: National Blood Drive Challenge
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday
WHERE: Victoria College Student Activities Building, 2200 E. Red River St.
Juan Diaz has donated blood countless times before and this time will be no different.
Diaz, 21, is a student at Victoria College and member of the Latin American Student Organization that is sponsoring the National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge.
The goal is to encourage the Hispanic community to donate, he said.
"I’m feeling a good turnout," said Diaz, who has been handing out flyers across the campus since the announcement of the blood drive. "We’re wishing for the best."
The blood drive is not only for Hispanics, Diaz said.
The student organization has partnered with South Texas Blood and Tissue Center to put on the event, which is also a competition between colleges and universities across the country.
Last year, 113 schools participated and this year at least 138 schools are involved, said Helen Soto, who is the student coordinator this year.
Soto, who was the organization’s president last year, said the turn out was great.
"A lot of the reason for the event for getting started was not only to save lives, but also to continue Cesar Chavez’s legacy," Soto said.
Many Hispanics are universal donors, which is one of the best blood types for those needing blood, Soto said.
The goal is to make the Hispanic community aware of the civic duty, she added.
"It’s a great way to put Victoria on the map," she said.