Car dealer hosts blood drive for Childrens Hospital

Neftin Westlake Volvo is call- ing on the community to take part in what they hope will be the big- gest blood drive in the history of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

The dealership is hosting the blood drive on Thurs., Oct. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Neftin Westlake Volvo, 3550 Auto Mall Drive, Thousand Oaks.

Blood donors must be over 17 and meet health requirements. The goal is to collect 100 units of blood, enough to save 300 children's lives.

Neftin Volvo president, Howie Neftin, first became acquainted

with Childrens Hospital though Volvo's sponsorship of the annual City of Angels Bike ride, where he met Peter Heumann, organizer of the Southern California Bike Expo. Heumann asked Neftin to donate blood to help the Buelow family of Calabasas, who had two young children with cancer.

The following year Neftin ar- ranged for all Southern California Volvo dealers to match donations for the City of Angels Bike Ride and donate all proceeds to Childrens Hospital. He also ar- ranged for all funds raised during "Volvo for Life Days," an annual fundraiser to benefit local children's hospitals, to be donated to Childrens Hospital. As a result, the hospital has been able to purchase a brand new bloodmobile.

"It takes less than half an hour to donate a unit of blood and each unit can help save three children. I don't think anyone can find a bet- ter way to spend their lunch hour on Oct. 12," said Neftin.

For information, call Neftin Westlake Volvo at (805) 497-9404.