Ivanna Heredia, an accounting major, took a few hours of her time time on campus to donate blood to the American Red Cross on Monday, Feb. 10.

“My little cousin has cancer, so I felt like it’s right to give back to some of the little kids that don’t have a chance,” Heredia said.

The American Red Cross blood drive took place in Falcon Square from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.

The ARC truck will be accepting blood donations at the same time everyday until Thursday, Feb. 13.

The program assistant for Project Hope, Danylle Williams-Manser, said that she signs up volunteers for the blood drives.

Williams-Manser went on to say that the American Red Cross does blood drives on campus twice a semester every year.

Karen Osorio, a nursing major and Project Hope volunteer, was helping out in front of the donation truck by helping donors sign in.

She hopes students take the opportunity to donate when they can.

“Maybe a family member might need blood, (so) why not do it? I’m just hoping we have a good turn out here at Cerritos (College),” Osorio said.

Anthony Ruyz-Avalos, a philosophy major, was also among the donors waiting in front of the truck. He says he donates blood whenever he can.

“I got operated when I was one before and I have this kind of phobia with needles. I don’t let it bother me anymore.

“So I think every time I donate I’m a little bit nervous with the needles again,” he said.

Despite his nervousness toward needles, Ruyz-Avalos, says he thinks donating blood is a good cause and likes that he is helping someone else.

Project Hope is a student support service for students who are majoring in health related fields.

According to Williams-Manser, clubs and organizations on campus can sponsor a blood drive donation day, “What happens is when you go to donate if you put the club or organization’s name, that organization or club gets point.

“At the end of the year they get an award for encouraging the most donors,” she said.

Williams-Manser says that the goal for the American Red Cross is to raise the blood supply in the area.

“Their biggest push is right before the holidays because people don’t like to donate during the holidays. You get such higher incidents of drinking and driving and accidents,” Williams-Manser said.

For more information on the American Red Cross visit their website http://www.redcross.org/