16th-annual blood drive kicks off today with a 1,500-pint goal

The rivalry between UA and ASU isn't over until somebody draws blood ÷ or at least donates it.

Hundreds of people are expected to donate as the 16th-annual UA/ASU blood drive begins today on both campuses.

The drive will kick off today at the Tucson Institute of Religion on East Second Street and North Mountain Avenue from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., and will be held at various buildings throughout campus until Oct. 18.

As of Friday, 60 people had signed up for today's drive.

UA's blood drive has accumulated more blood than the Sun Devils' drive 10 out of the 15 years, collecting more than 16,000 pints of blood since the drive began. Last year, 1,128 pints were donated on campus, but that is still almost 500 pints less than the record set in 1991.

"We hope to get 1,500 pints this year. It would be great. So many people need the blood," said Lynn Cunningham, marketing and communications coordinator for the Southern Arizona chapter of the American Red Cross.

One pint of blood can save three lives. Southern Arizona alone uses about 300 pints of blood each day.

Following donation, the blood is separated into three parts ÷ platelets, plasma and whole blood. Platelets are given primarily to cancer patients, plasma is used as a clotting agent or more commonly donated to burn victims, and whole blood is transfused to trauma patients.

"Something that most people don't know is that 97 percent of the population will use a blood product at some point in their lives, but only 5 percent actually donate," Cunningham said.

While the UA has been excellent about donating blood, UA donor recruitment representative Todd McCormick said many people often think the Red Cross doesn't need donations.

McCormick said that continually recruiting donors is important because blood is only usable for about 40 days.

But recruitment can often be difficult because people don't usually respond to pleas to donate blood unless asked personally, McCormick said.

Although Cunningham said the most common excuse for not donating blood is fear, many students said they simply haven't had the time to donate.

Victoria Sucato, a speech and hearing sciences freshman, said that although she is planning to donate blood, she hasn't had the time yet.

Ajay Reddy, a pre-business freshman, said he donated blood before moving to Tucson but hasn't donated at the UA yet.

"I haven't had the time, but I would," he said.

Donors must be at least 18 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds and be in good health. Blood can be given every two months, as long as the donor is not on antibiotics and has not had a tattoo within the past year. Piercings are allowed if they were done professionally. Sexually active gay men are not allowed to donate.

Generally, 10-20 percent of all donors are deferred because they do not meet the necessary criteria, or their blood iron level is too low.

The American Red Cross suggests donors eat a light breakfast and drink plenty of water prior to giving blood.

To schedule an appointment, call 917-2820. Walk-ins are welcome.

The Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross will be collecting blood donations at these times and locations.

Today
Tucson Institute of Religion 1333 E. Second St.	8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Army ROTC 1042 E. South Campus Drive	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
College of Nursing 1305 N. Martin St.	9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kaibab Residence Hall 922 E 4th St.	4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday
Campus Health Services 1541 E. University Blvd.	9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
University Services Building 888 N. Euclid Ave.	8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Agriculture and Life Sciences 4210 N. Campbell Ave.	10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Coronado Hall 822 E 5th St.	3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Bear Down Gym 1428 E University Blvd.	8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Facilities Management 220 W. 6th St.	10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Apache Santa Cruz Halls 1420 E. 5th St.	3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday
Bear Down Gym 1428 E University Blvd.	8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Yavapai Hall 1222 E South Campus Dr.	3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday
McKale Center 1721 E Enke Dr.	9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oct. 15
Gamma Phi Beta 1535 E. First St.	11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kappa Sigma 1423 E. First St.	3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Maricopa Hall 1031 E North Campus Dr.	3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Oct. 17
McClelland Hall 1130 E Helen St.	9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"Swede" Johnson Building 1111 N Cherry Ave.	8 a.m. to noon
Kappa Kappa Gamma 1435 E. Second St.	11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oct. 18
Campus Health 1541 E. University Blvd.	11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donor Requirments
Must be at least 18 17 must have parents permission Must weigh at least 110 lbs. Must be in good health Cannot be on antibiotics Must be off of antibiotics at least 48 hours before donating Could not have donated within the past eight weeks Can have piercing as long as they were done professionally 1-year deferral for tattoos No gay men who have ever been sexually active Cannot do drugs Cannot have used a needle for drug use since 1974 Cannot be at risk for AIDS or HIV Cannot donate if iron level too low