The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its annual spring semester American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, April 6 from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Community members and those on campus are encouraged to donate to the cause during this free event.
This blood drive is sponsored by the UMPI Dean of Students Office, in conjunction with the Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS and Phi Eta Sigma-National Honor Society. These groups help to sponsor three blood drives annually 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 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.
The American Red Cross blood program started in 1940, under the leadership of Dr. Charles Drew. Among Red Cross donors in a given year, 24 percent donate occasionally, 26 percent are first-time donors, and 50 percent are regular, loyal donors. The number one reason donors say they give blood is because they “want to help others,” according to the American Red Cross website.
Approximately 36,000 units are needed every day by the American Red Cross to meet the demands of hospital patients across the country. The Red Cross has a special program to help address this demand called Power Red. This double red cell donation procedure allows a person to safely donate two units of blood while returning their plasma and platelets. Donors are encouraged to consider this type of donation during the April 6 event.
Blood drive organizers are aiming for 100 people to attend this spring’s event. For each person that donates, a possibility of three people in the United States are helped.
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. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the blood drive. Anyone interested in volunteering or in need of more information should call 207-768-9610 or email jimandbeckystepp@gmail.com.