Students enjoyed good food and the opportunity to donate blood March 9-10 at Bakersfield College.

Houchin Blood Bank and BC’s Student Government Association co-sponsored the event.

Community development manager Stephanie Gibbons said most BC students are familiar with the donation process because they donated to Houchin’s blood drives in high school.

Jocelyn Perez said she donates blood because, “You never know, one day you may need it, and it’s the right thing to do.” Perez said she started donating in high school. She plans to transfer to CSUB in the fall.

Perez said if Houchin has a blood drive on campus, she will donate there, too. “I plan to make it a tradition,” she said.

BC student Rosanna Contreras has almost reached her goal of donating five gallons of blood. Contreras said, once you reach 5 gallons, your picture will be placed in the lobby of Houchin on Truxtun extension and you get a license plate cover.

She said she started donating when she was a junior in high school.

Carolyn Robinson said she donates blood because her sister received blood from Houchin when she was in an automobile accident. Robinson said, “you should donate because you never know when you or a family member may need blood.”

Gibbons said the drive was a success and they collected over 200 units. She said she looks forward to the 2017 spring drive, and if any students missed the BC blood drive, they can always donate at Houchin on Truxtun Avenue.