The New York Blood Center hosted a blood drive on Tuesday, March 2 in the Multipurpose Room, encouraging the Baruch community to donate towards saving lives. Members of the Office of Student Life were also present to assist with the event.
According to their mission statement, the NYBC is a non-profit organization whose aim is to "provide [our] community with the highest-quality transfusion products and services, as well as leading-edge research, technological and medical care innovation, and education in the field of transfusion medicine."
Kareem Al-Bitar, representative for donor recruitment at the NYCB and coordinator for the drive, said that blood donations will be sent overseas to aid the victims of Haiti and to assist the recent devastation in Chile.
"So far the New York Blood Center has raised more than $75,000 towards relief efforts in Haiti once [we] found out about the need of blood products," said Al-Bitar. "Chile also reached out to us and we want to help them as well."
According to the NYBC, more than 60 percent of the adult population is medically eligible to give blood but only 2 percent of local residents do so each year.
"With all the stuff that's happening, why not help those with the liquid of life?" said Al-Bitar.
With over 100 people signed up to donate blood, the NYBC will also host the drive on Wednesday in an effort to accept more donations.
"On behalf of the blood center, and myself, [we] would like to thank the college for allowing us to have this drive because it is important," said Al-Bitar.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!