American River College will host a fall Blood Drive with Vitalant, a nonprofit blood donation service. The blood drive will take place Sept. 24 and Sept. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be two blood drive trucks: one located at parking lot A near the Technical Education building and another at parking lot G.

Donors must bring photo identification to participate and the drive will be open to the public.

Vitalant’s website recommends that donors stay hydrated and eat a healthy meal before donating their blood. Refreshments will also be provided at the two bloodmobiles.

The ARC blood drive chairperson Ryan Nix explained why the drive is important in an email to the Current.

“One pint of blood, which is how much is given in your average donation can potentially save up to three lives. And because blood has a limited shelf life, the supplies of it need to constantly be replenished,” Nix said.

To be eligible, donors must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors are asked to not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol for the donation, according to the Vitalant website.

The donation itself takes less than an hour and is safely performed by medical professionals using sterile equipment, donors will also receive a shirt from Vitalant after making their contribution according to Nix.

Blood drives are hosted every semester by ARC Health Center to aid the community and to provide for those in need of blood donations. 

Ian Finch, a donor recruitment representative for Vitalant, gave examples of who might be in need of blood in an email.

“People need it for lots of different reasons; surgeries, trauma victims, cancer patients, pregnant women sometimes. It really varies how much is needed too,” Finch said.