By Lt. Anthony Peterson
In November, California State Prison, Corcoran, (COR) and the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility (SATF) hosted the 18th annual South Valley Battle of the Badges Blood Drive competition which allowed staff to donate blood.
The Central Valley Blood Center set up collection sites at both Central Valley institutions. The prison staff do their part each year.
A combined total of over 209 staff members from COR and SATF participated in the event.
“I donate blood to help save a life. It makes me feel good knowing someone may live a little longer by getting the pint of blood I donated. People might think only a pint of blood is not that much, but every little bit counts,” said Regina Guzman, Associate Governmental Program Analyst.
Chief Deputy Warden Martin Gamboa showed his support for this worthy cause by participating in the blood drive as well.
“Thank you to all the staff that took the time to donate,” said Marlene Robicheaux, Community Resource Manager.
“The efforts of the donors will help save lives. We are proud to host the Blood Mobile on site at several times per year in an effort to give staff the opportunity to give back and donate blood to those in need,” she said. “Many of us have at one time or another in our lives found ourselves in a position where we or a loved one of ours needed a blood transfusion and were grateful to those who gave before us. Thus, in turn, we are happy to give back to such a worthy cause.”
According to the American Red Cross, in the United States, every two seconds someone needs blood, about 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day, and nearly 7,000 units of platelets and 10,000 units of plasma are needed daily. A single donation can potentially help more than one patient, according to the organization.