Politics & Government

Los Gatos is Top Volunteer Blood Donor

Town distinguishes itself for generosity of supply and drives that keep the American Red Cross happy.

Los Gatos has become one of the most important spots for volunteer blood donation for the Northern California Region of the American Red Cross, according to its new CEO Jeff Meyer.

In the past two years, the town has doubled blood donors and drives, with more than 12 planned this year, according to Gayle Rohner, ARC blood donor recruitment account manager for Los Gatos.

Originally the ARC had a blood drive at every other month, but in the last three years, the town has also had drives at the four times a year and at twice a year. had two drives last year, and in the last two years, congregation Shir Hadash has had blood drives at its synagogue.

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"It's one of the top three communities for volunteer blood donation," Rohner noted. Compared with Morgan Hill, a city with more residents and about the same number of drives planned this year, the organization won't have the high schools participate and won't get as many donors, she said.

Now, even local businesses and private schools such as and are interested in volunteer blood donation, Rohner added. 

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Meyer said the agency has had blood drives in town six times a year since 2006, and holds a student blood drive each semester.

The ARC had a drive at St. Mary’s Church March 1, collecting 57 pints of blood, nearly 10 percent more than its goal of 53. Each pint can be separated into components—red blood cells, platelets and plasma—to possibly help more than 170 patients, Meyer said.

Good Samaritan Hospital spokeswoman Leslie Kelsay praised the town and the ARC for its efforts in volunteer blood collection and said hospitals depend on safe donated blood supply. "Even with advances in surgical techniques that minimize blood loss, an emergency procedure for a single patient may require 50 units of blood. That patient is depending on volunteer donors," Kelsay said.

How to Donate Blood

To schedule an appointment to donate, call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Have a Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you donate.


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