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Blood drive draws in donors

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A regionwide blood drive tapped into more than 50 donors who gave blood in the Newport-Mesa area, but the event missed the main vein and was several pints shy of each city’s goals.

A Tuesday blood drive at Costa Mesa’s Emergency Operations Center collected 19 pints from 19 people who donated as part of the seventh Battle of the Badges event, according to Laura Rudd, a donor recruitment manager with the American Red Cross.

The blood collected missed the 33-pint goal, Rudd said.

Newport Beach saw 43 people visit and 39 pints donated — nine below the 52 mark set, according to Rudd.

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Among those contributing at Newport’s drive Wednesday was Deputy Chief David McGill, who was hooked up to a machine that separates out red blood cells.

“It’s really kind of neat,” said McGill, who regularly donates. “I have not experienced this type ... I’m quite impressed.”

The Newport force is a steady contributor to this cause, said Newport Beach police spokeswoman Kathy Lowe.

“We look forward to doing this every year and helping save lives,” Lowe said. “It’s a big part of what we do.”

— Lauren Williams and Bradley Zint

Twitter: @thedailypilot

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