Riverside, Calif., Sept, 2001-- It is estimated that there could be 80,000 units of blood needed for dealing with the catastrophes in New York and Washington, DC. Thousands of Americans have lined up to donate blood.

Lawrence T. Geraty, La Sierra University president, conducts business with his administrative assistant, while donating blood at the Blood Bank mobile unit.

Several times in recent months, the Blood Bank of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties has gone to the fridge, and found no blood! No blood for emergency or vitally-needed surgeries, burn or car crash patients, those with blood disease or cancer, etc. They do have a network of organizations who share blood supplies. But there's a nationwide shortage of blood.

We clean-living Seventh-day Adventists have a special gift to give people in need, not only in times of crisis or when our patriotic passions are stirred, but on a consistent basis. We don't smoke, drink, or take illicit drugs, nor do we live a sexually immoral lifestyle. We exercise regularly. Many of us are vegetarians or eat little meat, and as Christians, we ask a blessing on our meals. It's said, we are what we eat. Hmmm, what if a sick or injured person got a unit of "blessed" blood? Because we practice a healthy lifestyle, believing that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we live longer and have better quality of life than the general population. Why not share? You know that Jesus was the greatest blood donor of all, and we inherit eternal life from his sacrifice.

Did you know that in as little as 36 hours after your donation, and after being screened and tested, your blood donation could be used as whole blood, or broken down into components that can help two to three people? Such a little bit that you won't even notice is gone, and it saves lives.

Some of us donated blood at the August 29 KSGN blood drive (see photo of Dr. Geraty donating while talking on his phone). There will be another blood drive right here at La Sierra at the end of October. If you're in good health, and have not donated in the last eight weeks, please consider giving at this time. The need is so great right now.

The information number for Blood Bank is 1-800-879-4484.

Riverside Donor Center
Mon, Wed & Thu 10 am - 6 pm
Tue 11 am - 7 pm
Fri 8 am - 3:30 pm
2nd Sat each month 9 am - 1 pm
4006 Van Buren Blvd., Van Buren & Garfield
(909) 687-2530

San Bernardino Donor Center
Mon, Wed & Thu 9 am - 6 pm
Tue 10 am - 7 pm
Fri & Sat 7:30 am - 4 pm
384 Orange Show Road
(909) 885-6503

Ontario Donor Center
Mon, Wed & Thu 10 am - 6 pm
Tue 11 am - 7 pm
Fri 8 am - 3:30 pm
3rd Sat each month 9 am - 1 pm
1959 East Fourth St., Fourth & Vineyard
(909) 987-3158

Community Blood Donor Center
Tue & Thu 11 am - 7 pm
Sat 8 am - 3:30 pm
1148 San Bernardino Road, Suite 203, Upland
Across from San Antonio Community Hospital
(909) 920-0625