Houchin Community Blood Bank is marking 75 years of serving Kern County by encouraging residents to donate blood and platelets and offering special giveaways and events aimed at boosting the local supply.
The blood bank, which provides blood products to patients across Kern County, has been highlighting an ongoing need for donations, particularly type O blood. Anna Kazaryan, identified as a worker at Houchin and later as the director of donor relations, said the community remains “always in a constant need for blood products,” noting that “it just takes one trauma to really just deplete our shelves.”
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Kazaryan said type O blood is commonly used first in traumatic incidents. “They will first start you off with O until they type you, and then once they type you, they can give you your blood type,” she said. She added that donors who do not know their blood type will be told after their first donation.
She also said Houchin recently started a new O program and “had well over 1000 people join that program,” but added that the blood type remains difficult to keep stocked. One patient can take up to 50 different blood products to save their life.
Inside the blood bank’s laboratory, Kazaryan explained that blood products on the shelves had already been tested and were ready to be pulled quickly in an emergency and delivered to local hospitals. She said another commonly needed blood type is A-positive.
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Kazaryan also expressed that the goal is for the community to be “self-reliant” and not have to import blood products from elsewhere in the United States. She said importing can be affected by factors such as weather, depending on the time of year.
To thank donors during the anniversary week, Houchin is offering a “75th edition tumbler” to people who donate either Friday or Saturday,
The blood bank is also promoting platelet donations through its Gold Club program. Kazaryan said platelets have a short shelf life of seven days, with two days for infectious disease testing and five days remaining for use, and are used for patients including cancer patients and major trauma patients. She said Gold Club incentives can include a $50 gift card and, during the anniversary promotion, the tumbler as well. She said platelet donors can donate weekly and that those who donate up to 12 times a year can be part of the Gold Club and attend a dinner.
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Eligibility requirements vary by donation type, according to Kazaryan She said platelet donors must be 17, while whole blood donors can be 16 with parental consent.
Houchin is also set to be featured in a documentary this Saturday. Kazaryan said the “Miles of Kindness” documentary follows “two great friends” traveling Route 66 from Chicago, with Bakersfield as the last stop focused on the blood bank and the power of blood donation.
The blood bank will be open Saturday until 3 p.m., and Kazaryan said people can donate that day. She said members of the public can also attend to be part of the documentary, arriving at 2:30 p.m. Filming is expected to wrap at 3 p.m., followed by some cake and refreshments.
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Appointments can be booked online at hcbb.com, and walk-ins are also welcome, Kazaryan said. She added that people can also call, and staff will help guide them through the process.