LANCASTER – More than 80 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from throughout Lancaster turned out recently to donate blood at Antelope Valley Hospital’s Donation Center for the Church’s one-day blood drive. Of those, 66 were able to successfully donate.
“This was a new record for the highest collection from any group donating at Antelope Valley Hospital Donation Center,” said Ellen Gaines, Blood Services Coordinator for Antelope Valley Hospital.
The drive was the Church’s first to be held at Antelope Valley Hospital.
“As members of the Church, we are constantly looking for ways to provide service to our community,” said Bryan Crawley, president of the Church’s Lancaster Stake, which oversees congregations in west and central Lancaster.
“In addition, emergency preparedness is a vital component of our faith. Our local area is in dire need of blood donations. We are honored to play a part in fulfilling this need, and strongly encourage our brethren throughout the Antelope Valley to donate whenever they can,” Crawley continued.
The Church plans to continue working with Antelope Valley Hospital to conduct future blood drives.
“Antelope Valley Hospital has been an incredible partner for us in this effort,” said Crawley. “Their staff did a remarkable job, and their professionalism and efficiency resulted in a record-breaking turnout for this blood drive. I’d like to thank them for their assistance, and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the future.”
They’re hoping the record-breaking turnout will challenge other local groups to organize similar efforts.
For more information about how to donate blood at Antelope Valley Hospital, visit www.avhospital.org/Services/BloodDonorCenter.
For more information regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, visit www.mormon.org.
