Skyline held its 31st annual blood drive on Wed. Apr. 7 in the Student Center. This year the blood drive was run by American Red Cross, which organizes blood drives at college and high school campuses once a year, sometimes twice. This is their second annual blood drive here at Skyline. According to Julia Quitiquit, Manager of Donor Recruitment for Red Cross, stresses the importance of holding blood drives on high school and college campuses. “It’s important that we get to the high schools and colleges,” Quitiquit said. “It gets them started early.” Skyline has been holding blood drives on campus since 1978, and as of last year, over 2,300 units of blood have been collected. “This [blood drive] is an incredible success,” Skyline nurse Jan Gersonde said. “We’re hoping we’ll get to 100 units this year.” The blood collected will be tested and then distributed to Bay Area hospitals. According to Quitiquit, one pint of blood saves three lives. 135 Skyline students and faculty members signed up for the drive this year, and a good number of walk-ins came to give blood as well. Some instructors offered their students extra credit for donating blood. “I gave blood for the extra credit and to help people,” Skyline student Ray Lee said. “One day I might need the help too.” For some students who give blood regularly, the extra credit is just an added bonus. “I usually give [blood] anyway, so this is convenient,” student Henry On said. Another blood drive will be held on campus on July 2; there is an eight-week mandatory resting period for all students who donate blood. Students who participate in July’s blood drive will receive backstage passes to the Vans Warped Tour in August. To be eligible to donate blood, students must have a picture I.D. and weigh at least 110 pounds, and cannot have any cold symptoms or any ink tattoos obtained within the last year.