ANC-Glendale to Host Sixth Annual Blood Drive in Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide
March 15, 2011

Glendale, CA – The Armenian National Committee of Glendale in partnership with the City of Glendale’s Week of Remembrance Committee, the American Red Cross and the Glendale Chapters of the Armenian Youth Federation and Homenetmen Ararat will host its 6th annual blood drive in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide.  The event will take place on Sunday, April 17, 2011 from 10:00AM - 4:00PM at Krikor and Mariam Karamanoukian Glendale Youth Center (211 W. Chestnut St., Glendale, CA 91204).

“Our annual blood drive is a great opportunity for the entire Glendale community to come together and honor those who perished during the Armenian Genocide of 1915, while assisting our local hospitals,” stated ANC Glendale Executive Director, Elen Asatryan.  “We are confident that our added partners such as Homenetmen Ararat and AYF Glendale will allow us to surpass our previous record breaking numbers of blood donations and look forward to yet another successful drive,” added Asatryan.

According to the American Red Cross, less than 3% of the 24 million residents in Southern California donate blood. One pint of blood can save up to 3 lives and about every 2 seconds someone needs a blood transfusion.  The April 17th blood drive will benefit patients treated at Glendale Memorial and Glendale Adventist Hospitals. Appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are welcome. To be eligible to donate blood you must be at least 16 years of age and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds; valid identification is required.

 "The AYF Glendale Chapter looks forward to honoring the memory of those who were killed during the Armenian Genocide by participating in this year's blood drive. We understand the importance of increasing the availability of blood in the local blood banks and hospitals, and hope to make an impact with this drive,"  stated AYF Glendale "Roupen" Chapter Chairperson Maral Mirzayan.

ANC Glendale encourages residents to log on to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code, ANCGlendale to make an appointment.   For more information call 818.243.3444 or email elen@ancglendale.org.  

Known as the first genocide of the 20th century, the Armenian Genocide resulted in the mass murder of 1.5 million Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Turks.  April 24th, 2011 will mark the 96th commemoration of Armenian Genocide.

The Armenian National Committee – Glendale Chapter defends the rights, advances the interests, and promotes the well being of the city’s Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.

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