Blood Drive

When 5-year-old Matthew Fernandez's leukemia diagnosis because public in April, Michele Ramos knew she had to do more than just help the family with groceries. “You cannot help but look your children in the eyes and wonder if this could have been them,” Ramos said. “We're very, very lucky to have two healthy children.” Ramos, a native of Austria who has lived in Burbank for 14 years, recalled the message she received from Matthew's mom, Ana Fernandez. “I remember getting this phone call on April 3,” Ramos said.

Glendale YMCA officials are hosting a blood drive in commemoration of the Armenian genocide. Organizers say it's a way to bring the community together while continuing a tradition of saving lives. The blood drive will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Glendale YMCA's Youth Fitness Center, 130 N. Louise St. Walk-ins are welcome, but for appointments, call (818) 240-4130, ext. 34 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code ANCGlendale. To give blood, one must be at least 16 years old and weigh 110 pounds.

The Providence Blood Donor Center, based at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, will have a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Carney's Restaurant, 12601 Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. Blood donated to the center by the surrounding community is also available for use by those who live in the community. All donors receive a coupon good for a free hamburger or hot dog at Carney's Restaurant. The center welcomes walk-ins, but those interested in donating may also call and make an appointment with Sandy Hibarger at (818)

BOB HOPE AIRPORT — Kim Hadden felt calm and relaxed as a needle pricked her arm and her blood began flowing through a clear tube. Hadden donated a pint of her blood on Tuesday during the 10th Annual Airport Blood Drive at Bob Hope Airport. The two-day event benefited patients at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills and the Grossman Burn Center. "It's a way to give back to the community," Hadden said. "I can't think of anything better than saving a life."

Molly Shore The sight of blood doesn't make Ashlei Limbaga queasy. The 16-year-old Providence High School junior was a blood donor Tuesday at the school's semi-annual American Red Cross blood drive. "It's something I've never done before," the Burbank girl said. "When they explained to us that there's a shortage, I was interested in giving blood. It's not hurting me, but it might save the life of someone else." Providence Principal Sister Lucille Dean was happy to see students, as well as community members, donate blood.

AIRPORT DISTRICT — The scenic Skyroom at the Bob Hope Airport — a place usually reserved for board meetings and special events — was lined with phlebotomists and donor chairs Tuesday and Wednesday during the airport's 11th annual blood drive. And rather than the fluorescent lights and linoleum floors that donors usually encounter at medical centers, participants were treated to a panoramic view of planes taking off and landing. "It gives you something to distract you anyway," airport spokesman Victor Gill said.

Tuba the clown took patients' minds off the blood flowing from their arms Monday as he helped Providence St. Joseph Medical Center launch a week-long blood drive. The clown, from Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus, entertained blood donors at the medical center with circus tickets, balloon animals, juggling and good humor. The circus will appear at the Staples Center starting July 19, and has always been supportive of things like this as a company, he said. "It's a very physical art and occasionally some of our brethren get hurt or leave this world," Tuba said of circus performing.

Gary Moskowitz BURBANK -- Due to massive efforts by Burbank residents to donate blood to aid relief efforts last week, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank is now requesting that donors call ahead to schedule appointments. Statements issued by the medical center report that scheduled appointments will help reduce wait time and speed up the actual donation process. A special blood drive was set up in the medical center's auditorium Tuesday and Wednesday to handle the high demand of available donors.

Blood drive features free food, T-shirts BURBANK -- Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center's Blood Donor Center will have a two-day blood drive marathon today and Thursday during the time of year when the blood supply is at its lowest. The drive will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the medical center, 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank. The event, which commemorates National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, will include prize raffles, and every donor will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Karen S. Kim City employees' credit union sponsors blood drive MAGNOLIA PARK -- Burbank City Employees Federal Credit Union and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center will sponsor a blood drive at the union's Burbank office Thursday. Appointments can be scheduled online at o7 www.bcefcu.orgf7 or by calling Linda Peterson at 846-1710, Ext. 312. Walk-ins are also welcome, though appointments are preferred. The credit union's office is at 1800 W. Magnolia Blvd.

The Burbank police and fire departments, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, are hosting a blood drive this month. Donors can register online or just show up to the Feb. 18 drive, which will be held in the community room of the Community Services Building, located at 150 N. Third St. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. To register online, visit www.redcrossblood.org, and enter the sponsor code: “badgesocal.” ...

Glendale YMCA officials are hosting a blood drive in commemoration of the Armenian genocide. Organizers say it's a way to bring the community together while continuing a tradition of saving lives. The blood drive will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Glendale YMCA's Youth Fitness Center, 130 N. Louise St. Walk-ins are welcome, but for appointments, call (818) 240-4130, ext. 34 or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code ANCGlendale. To give blood, one must be at least 16 years old and weigh 110 pounds.

The sixth annual Battle of the Badges took place Tuesday, an opportunity for all badge-carrying personnel and their friends and family to help the community by participating in a friendly competition to see which department can donate the most blood, organizers said. Burbank Police Officer Cindy Guillen said more than 30 people made appointments to donate. An estimated 35 pints of blood were donated through Tuesday afternoon. The final count will be available Wednesday. The event is sponsored by the American Red Cross and Burbank police and firefighters.

When 5-year-old Matthew Fernandez's leukemia diagnosis because public in April, Michele Ramos knew she had to do more than just help the family with groceries. “You cannot help but look your children in the eyes and wonder if this could have been them,” Ramos said. “We're very, very lucky to have two healthy children.” Ramos, a native of Austria who has lived in Burbank for 14 years, recalled the message she received from Matthew's mom, Ana Fernandez. “I remember getting this phone call on April 3,” Ramos said.

The Fine Arts Federation of Burbank continues its membership show ?Leap into Art? at the Creative Arts Center Gallery, 1100 W. Clark Ave., Burbank. The juried mixed media exhibit, representing more than 60 artists, will include painting, sculpture, pottery, collage and photography. The show closes March 20. The Fine Arts Federation, founded in 1976, is an avid supporter of the Creative Arts Center. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.

AIRPORT DISTRICT — The scenic Skyroom at the Bob Hope Airport — a place usually reserved for board meetings and special events — was lined with phlebotomists and donor chairs Tuesday and Wednesday during the airport's 11th annual blood drive. And rather than the fluorescent lights and linoleum floors that donors usually encounter at medical centers, participants were treated to a panoramic view of planes taking off and landing. "It gives you something to distract you anyway," airport spokesman Victor Gill said.

Lolis Diaz squeezed a rubber ball with her hand and watched her blood flow through a tube and into a pouch. Diaz, an employee at First Security Lending in Burbank, gave a pint of blood on Tuesday for the first time. "I'm nervous a little, but just the fact that I'm helping save some lives gives me strength," Diaz said. "To be honest, I just thought of making a difference." Diaz was one of about 17 employees at First Security Lending who took part in the blood drive organized by Providence St. Joseph Medical Center's Blood Donor Center.

BOB HOPE AIRPORT — Kim Hadden felt calm and relaxed as a needle pricked her arm and her blood began flowing through a clear tube. Hadden donated a pint of her blood on Tuesday during the 10th Annual Airport Blood Drive at Bob Hope Airport. The two-day event benefited patients at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills and the Grossman Burn Center. "It's a way to give back to the community," Hadden said. "I can't think of anything better than saving a life."

New drive, but without circus clowns Regarding "Clown helps to launch hospital's blood drive," on June 21, shame on Ringling Bros. for turning a Burbank blood drive into an opportunity to promote the cruelest show on earth. I suppose we shouldn't be surprised to find a company with Ringling's checkered history exploiting the benevolent spirit of the people of Burbank, but the recent presence of a clown handing out circus tickets at an important community event seems like just another futile stunt designed to get back into the public's good graces.