ANC Glendale Holds Record Setting Blood Drive
April 23, 2008

Glendale, CA.  The Armenian National Committee – Glendale Chapter drew a record number of contributors at its Third Annual Blood Drive on Sunday, April 20, 2008.  Organized in collaboration with the Armenian Relief Society - Sepan Chapter, City of Glendale, Week of Remembrance Committee and the American Red Cross, the blood drive was held in honor of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.  All blood units collected will be forwarded to local hospitals such as Glendale Memorial and Glendale Adventist.

"The turnout this year was phenomenal.  We not only met our goal, but also exceeded the maximum number of blood units that the medical center could collect," commented Elen Asatryan, Executive Director of ANC Glendale Chapter. "The ANC Glendale Chapter thanks all the participants for their time and commitment to such an important cause," added Asatryan.  

While over fifteen people were unfortunately turned away due to various reasons, the medical center remained on site and an extra hour to collect blood from healthy donors.  Several volunteers were on hand to provide food and refreshments for all donors to help offset the occasional dizziness experienced by blood donors.  Blood donors reproduce the donated amount of blood within a day and all donors were encouraged to rest and eat healthy in order to promote blood production.

"The ANC Blood drive set a record for the most first time donors we have received through any blood drive.  It was amazing to see that half the donors, were first timers,"  commented Sherry Nikrik, Senior Account Manager of the American Red Cross  "   We look forward to working with ANC again to provide the much needed blood supply to local hospitals," added Nikrik.

Some key members of the community that supported the charitable event were Glendale Councilmember Ara Najarian, Glendale City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian, City of Glendale Staff, Members of ANC Burbank, and Members of the Armenian Relief Society.

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.  While the Armenian Genocide is widely recognized throughout the world and among international bodies, Turkey continues to deny its role in the Armenian Genocide and instead promotes false propaganda. 

The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply (collecting more than 6 million units a year from volunteer donors) to patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country through its national network. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. The Red Cross must collect blood donations each and every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and children with blood disorders, and the organization works to accomplish this through its 36 Blood Services regions.

The Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city's Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels. It is the voice of this vibrant community, which seeks to advance and enrich Glendale.

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