DEREKH FROUDE/Arizona Daily Wildcat Molecular and cellular biology sophomore Elizabeth Ashley takes some time in between classes to donate blood on the UA Mall yesterday morning. Blood donations have dropped sharply after peaking in the days immediately following Sept. 11 of last year.

Immediately after Sept. 11, an abundance of eager volunteers overloaded blood drives close to campus and around the country.

Since that time, however, blood donations have fallen below pre-Sept. 11 levels.

Yesterday on the UA Mall, United Blood Services, in coordination with Project Volunteer, attempted to get students back into the spirit of giving.

"We wanted to promote blood awareness and revolve it around Sept. 11," said Greg Billings, director of Project Volunteer. Project Volunteer is a part of the University Activities Board.

With the one-year anniversary of the attacks only days away, the once-overabundant supply has long since expired.

"We had a really tough winter and the Red Cross did, too," said Cynthia Klein, senior community relations representative for United Blood Services. "People thought blood lasts longer, but it is only good for 42 days after donation."

Another factor that has hurt the blood supply is the more stringent criteria for donation. Because of the theoretical risk of mad cow disease from Europe, 5 percent of potential donations were lost over the past year, Klein said.

Meanwhile, blood use in hospitals increased 20 percent since this time last year, Klein said.

"(In the case of a blood shortage) we hold off sending blood to hospitals and we may have to call other blood banks in the country to see if they have any for us," Klein said. "Sometimes, elective surgeries are cancelled so that the blood is there for medical emergencies."

People with negative blood types were especially encouraged to donate, as there has been a short supply of O-, A- and B- blood.

"O- is especially important because anyone can use it," Klein said, while also adding the importance of getting O+ and B+ blood.

Originally, the United Blood Services set a goal of 60 pints for the drive, which lasted from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. However, one of the two buses was unable to show up due to brake problems, dropping the goal to 40 units, Klein said.

By the day's end, the United Blood Services reported 39 pints of blood collected by 59 donors, falling just short of its objective.

"It was steady all day," Klein said.

"The students have been excited and ready to donate."

"With the year mark (of Sept. 11) coming around, it makes me think of all the people who need it," undecided freshman Cristiana Rios added as she waited in line at the drive.

For freshman Jeff Guilfoyle, the urge to give blood was more personal.

"My mom's had blood transfusions before," the molecular and cellular biology major said. "I'm just trying to give back to the community ö and who knows, I might need one someday."

Education was also an important part of the drive, particularly for Project Volunteer and United Blood Services.

"Our goal is to get people back into (giving blood), and to augment the blood supply in the state of Arizona," Klein added, who will be back on campus for another blood drive on Sept. 30.

UA and Arizona State University will compete in another blood drive, held from Oct. 7 to Oct. 18, to see who can donate the most blood.

Last year, in the wake of Sept. 11, a tribute drive was held instead of the competition. The 2000 drive saw ASU come out on top.

However, UA had a five-year winning streak before that, donating more blood than ASU from 1995-1999.