The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its annual spring semester American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Door prizes will be given away during this time. Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate in this free event.
This blood drive is sponsored by the UMPI Dean of Students Office, the Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS, and Phi Eta Sigma–National Honor Society. These organizations help the American Red Cross put on three blood drives each year, in the spring, summer, and fall.
If donors wish to reserve a time to make their donation, they should call 1-800-RED-CROSS or you can sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org. Just click on “Search by Zip Code” and enter 04769. Walk-ins are welcome.
Since 1987, nearly 5,100 pints of blood have been collected at UMPI through these blood drives. The American Red Cross needs to collect 1,400 pints of blood each working day in order to supply the people of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Both UMPI and the American Red Cross encourage members of the campus as well as members of the surrounding communities to make a donation this year. They are aiming for 100 people to attend. For each person that donates, a possibility of three people in the United States are helped.
“Everyone would like to help someone in a difficult time,” Jim Stepp, Dean of Students, said. “By donating blood, you are doing just that—helping someone at a difficult time. The pint of blood you give will help save the life of someone or one of their loved ones. You may even help save the life of someone you know.”
All campus and community members are invited to take part in this life-giving event. In the U.S., someone needs blood approximately every two seconds. In comparison, the blood donation itself only takes 10 to 15 minutes—a very short visit when weighed against the lives that are saved.
Volunteers are also needed to assist with the blood drive. Anyone interested in volunteering or in need of more information should call 768-9601 or email james.stepp@maine.edu.