Give N' Go

By Destiny Cerezo
Staff Writer

CSUB Roadrunner Athletics and Houchin Community Blood Bank joined together once again to host this years "Give & Go." Anyone who donated between the 12th and 17th of this month received a voucher good for two free tickets to one of three offered Roadrunner basketball games.
With this being the fifth year of the promotion, it has also been the most successful. The amount of donors are "progressively climbing each year" according to Houchin Blood Bank's Community Relations Director, Tracy Hunter. As of Wednesday, just the third day of the promotion, the non-profit organizations number of donors had already exceeded last year's final count of 660. In 2007, the final count of donors was 617.
Due to the fact that there is an insufficient amount of blood donors, Hunter seemed thrilled that these people are willing to give to their community. Students and young adults especially. "Students are our future, they make up 37% of donor inventory," said Hunter.
According to Houchin Blood Bank's website, the organization is the sole provider responsible for "saving the lives of the residents of Kern County." Only two locations exist and can be found right here in Bakersfield, one in the downtown area on "G" Street and the other on Truxtun Ave.
Houchin Blood Bank has provided for Kern County since April 1952. A few events and campaigns such as: "Armed Forces Day," (every May) which is sponsored by Members of the Disabled American Veterans; "A Moment for Mom" on Mother's Day; "Tool Time" for Father's Day and the "Community Wide" blood drive that runs for 20 days in the month of August are held throughout the year.
An incentive for donors to participate in future blood drives includes giveaways such as big screen TVs, Wii game systems, brand name tools and $10 off coupons to Hungry Hunter restaurant.
Hunter spoke of the struggle that the blood bank goes through in the summer. Since students are not in school, the amount of student donors immensely decreases. Previous summer blood drives included "Beat the Heat 2008" and "Dewars pint for a pint."
CSUB and Houchin Blood Bank have a longstanding relationship of about 10 years according to Hunter. "We are very proud to be partnered with CSUB."
In addition to the "Give & Go" collaboration, two other blood drives are held, but on the CSUB campus instead. Houchin visits the university in both the Spring and Fall with the mobile bus to recruit new students and draw blood from existing donors. "They play music and games, it's a feel good day!" exclaimed Hunter. Houchin's "Donor of the Month" is featured on the home page of the gorunners.com website.