The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center conducted blood drives Sept. 10 and 11, at San Jacinto College giving faculty and students an opportunity to commit for life.

Evette Smith, a San Jac student and blood drive supervisor explained the special relationship between the Center and the people it serves. “The Commit for Life is a partnership between the community and an individual that happens to donate to save a life,” Smith said.

According to Smith, donors are required to be sixteen years old with parental consent, or seventeen and older without consent.

Another requirement to donate blood is an evaluation. “They’ll go through a series of health history questions and then the part of the physical exam to determine if your iron is acceptable within the guidelines in order to qualify to donate,” she said.

Today, students are less concerned with donating. “Honestly, (I donate) for selfish reasons. I get five points on a test, but I enjoy just being here,” student and donor Aaron Ruvier said.

Although some students may have other motivations to donate, there are others waiting to be eligible. “Now that I am eighteen, I feel like I should commit for life,” student donor Usloy Reina Cavazos said.

Administrative assistant A.J. Elsner said San Jac has worked with blood drive organizations for several years and the three campuses provide an opportunity for better donations.

“Students are good candidates for life long donors, which is something that the organization needs,” he said.

The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center stops by three to four times a year, which allows those who did not get a chance to donate before, to do so. Last year’s donations helped save thousands of lives. This year, The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center has a goal of 316,900 units and invites everyone eligible to donate once per quarter during 2013.