SACRAMENTO: Blood Drive One of the Largest Ever

     California State University-Sacramento yesterday organized one of the biggest blood drives in history, collecting 2,050 pints for Sacramento area blood centers, the Sacramento Bee reports. Although the drive fell short of the desired 3,540 pints -- a feat that would have earned CSUS a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records -- the drive was a success, according to blood center spokesperson Leslie Botos. "Seventy percent of the donors were first-time donors who will now donate blood for years to come," Botos said. The brain child of several CSUS students, the blood drive lasted from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and involved more than 450 volunteers. Organizer Hans Weichhart said of the event, "Breaking the record would be a bonus. But even it we don't, we'll still be saving lives." Another student had a different motivation, noting that the drive was "a way to give back to the community. It was also a way to get out of Spanish class" (Sanchez, 12/1).