AMY WINKLER

Biochemistry junior Prakash Ramsinghani lifts his arm after giving blood to the Red Cross as nurse Linda Weaver watches yesterday afternoon in the Bear Down Gym. The Red Cross will accept blood donations all this week as part of the annual competition against Arizona State University.

Tuesday October 16, 2001

Organizers hope Sept. 11 tragedies will prompt more people to donate

The 15th annual UA vs. ASU blood drive may have a different meaning in light of the Sept. 11 tragedies, blood drive organizers said.

The blood drive will be held all week at various locations around the University of Arizona campus and is sponsored by Associated Students of the University of Arizona and the Red Cross.

ASUA has been working in collaboration with the Red Cross since the competition began in 1987.

"Last year we only got about 1,000 pints of blood donated," said Lynn Cunningham, ASUA's Red Cross staff member. "Hopefully we will get more people out to donate this year."

ASU won the competition last year, donating 1,100 pints of blood, Cunningham said.

As of last night, the Red Cross had received less than 100 pints of blood but ASUA still hopes to donate more than 2,000 pints to beat ASU and to help out America in its time of need.

ASUA treasurer Cale Miller said the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center will get more people out to donate.

"In light of what has happened recently in America, people need to donate blood more often," he said. "We need to show that we're a strong, unified nation."

UA head football coach John Mackovic, the UA's 2001 Honorary Blood Drive Chair, said in a press release it is important to donate blood this year.

"The recent events ought to be the motivating factor to participate at both schools because we can see the tangible results of a friendly competition," Mackovic said.

Cunningham said donating blood is also a good way for college students to contribute to relief funds without having to empty their pockets.

"It's a nice way to give back without having to spend any money," she said. "And you get free juice and cookies."

Mary Hammond, an education freshman, donated blood last night and said she does whatever she can to help out the community.

"Our nation needs us to come together and support the victims of the attacks," she said.

UA students are also eager for the chance to beat ASU.

"I know they beat us last year," Hammond said. "But this year, it's our turn."

Hammond has donated blood three times and said the only part that hurts is the small prick the nurse gives her in her finger to test her blood.

"It is not a big deal," she said. "It is such a small thing to do to help out."

Cunningham said the process to donate blood takes about 45 minutes to an hour but the process of drawing the blood typically takes only five to 10 minutes.

The Arizona region of the Red Cross only has a seven-day supply of blood in reserve, Miller said.

"We need to keep blood supplies up," he said.

Miller added that only five percent of Americans donate blood.

"It's a low number considering 97 percent of Americans need blood at least once in their lives," Miller said.

Red Cross donation sites will be set up all over campus throughout the week working with the Points for Pints, hosted by UA basketball coaches Lute Olson and Joan Bonvicini.

Points for Pints is an NCAA blood challenge between 19 universities and will run through Feb. 28.

The Red Cross will be set up at Bear Down Gym everyday this week to receive donations.

To make a reservation to donate blood, call 917-2820.