Hermosa Blood Drive Postponed

Hermosa Beach Blood Drive organizer Candy Ayllon-McPhail had big expectations for the Sunday event. She devoted weeks organizing the event and 42 people had  preregistered to donate blood. But she'll now have to wait until June 6 to see the outcome of her hard work.

"We're rescheduling the event for June because there was a technical glitch with the mobile van today," said Ayllon-McPhail as she turned away cars of potential blood donors at Hermosa View School, the original location for the drive.

When asked what exactly happened to the van, she replied, "That's all I can say. There was a technical glitch."

Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center was responsible for providing the van and other equipment for the blood drive. It will provide the van and other equipment for the rescheduled date.

"Any organization can host a blood drive with Providence," said Ayllon-McPhail. "And I'm very grateful for the support of the community, councilmen and local business owners."

In the weeks leading up to the rescheduled drive, she will be focusing her efforts on rallying even more community interest.

"She's been making phone calls, flier, everything," said Ellen Murphy, a Hermosa Beach resident and friend of Ayllon-McPhail. "I'm just here to give moral support."

Murphy said she hopes more Hermosans will sign up to donate. Demand for blood increases in the summer months perhaps because schools, which organize the majority of blood drives, are out of session.

According to the Providence Blood Donor Center, 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood yet only 5 percent do so.  About every three seconds someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion.

"This is very rewarding because it is a lifesaving community service," Ayllon-McPhail said. "A pint of blood can save up to three lives."

Ayllon-McPhail was inspired to organize the Hermosa Beach Blood Drive after donating blood in Redondo Beach. When she asked the Redondo organizers about blood drives in Hermosa, they said turnout had been low when they had staged drives here.

"I couldn't believe it," Ayllon-McPhail said. "I think Hermosa can do better than that.'"

Community members who want to prove her right can make an appointment at the Hermosa Beach Blood Drive website.