The Central California Blood Center (CCBC) kicked off another three-day blood drive Tuesday in the Residence Dining Hall’s east room at Fresno State.

The kick-off drive was held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.­ CCBC encourages students to donate blood by distributing money-saving coupons and T-shirts to donors.

The blood drive will be held Wednesday and Thursday all day for students who did not have a chance to donate blood and register for bone marrow Tuesday.

University Courtyard sponsored the drive and the Nu Alpha Kappa fraternity sponsored the free marrow registration.

The blood that is donated goes through a testing process where it is examined for high levels of iron and other unwanted substances.

After passing the tests to ensure it is safe, the blood can be used in surgery, transplants, liver operations and other medical procedures, all of which can change a person’s quality of life or even save their life.

Renee Delport helped organize the event from the Fresno State end and thinks that donating blood benefits both donors and society.

“Donating blood saves lives,” Delport said. “If you are healthy, be thankful and be generous. There are many people who are not healthy and they need our healthy blood.”

Students were also given the option to sign up for bone marrow donation, which require a DNA test for matches to be found.

Alisha Wolf, a business major at Fresno State, gave blood and thinks more students and people should donate to these causes.

“I think it’s the easiest thing you can do to save someone’s life,” Wolf said.

Some students are fearful of needles and do not like the idea of giving blood because of the uncomfortable feeling it can give some people.­ However, Laura Geuvjehizian, a recruiter for the CCBC, believes there is little pain involved and thinks it is important that people still try to donate.

“If you can put aside your fears for 10 minutes, you would be helping save someone’s life or prolong someone’s life,” Geuvjehizian said.

With eight major blood types, it is important everyone donates to ensure that we have enough of the right blood for people to use.

“It’s not something you want to think about, your family members being hurt, but if you want you can donate on their behalf, it’s a good thing to do,” Wolf said.

Donors are required to be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health.

For more information about blood donation, contact the Central California Blood Center at 559-389-LIFE.