 |
|
FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat
|
Molecular and cellular biology sophomore Elizabeth Ashley donates blood at the Red Cross blood van. The UA earned a win against ASU in the
|
|
By Rebekah Jampole
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Monday November 4, 2002
The UA beat ASU in the annual blood drive face-off once again, but still collected only half of the 1,500-pint goal, which may have been due to midterms and few opportunities to donate near the end of the drive.
The two-week drive ended Oct. 18 with only 1,503 pints of blood collected between the rival schools. 787 came from the UA.
UA collected 1,182 pints during a one-week drive last year, which followed Sept. 11.
"We had kind of a real slow start to the drive," said Todd McCormick, UA donor recruitment representative.
The UA tends to start the drive off slow, but collects most of its donations during the last few days of the drive, McCormick said. But this year, fewer drive sites were set up at the end of the two weeks and the end of the blood drive overlapped with midterm exams.
Despite the media coverage of the event, most people do not donate unless there is a personal motive or they are directly asked, said blood drive student co-director Cale Miller.
"Last year, after Sept. 11, the mood of the country was much more philanthropic. Everyone at UA cared more," Miller said. "But this year, donating blood didn't have a direct effect on as many people."
Twenty-one donation sites were set up on campus throughout the drive. Although few met their collection goal, some sites did have more donors than originally planned.
Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority collected 20 more pints than expected during their drive, despite the 20 deferrals that were given to students with low iron, low weight or inability to fill the blood bag.
Each donor donates one pint.
As in previous years, Bear Down Gym saw the most donors.
The UA will sponsor other drives throughout the year, but the American Red Cross is always willing to accept donations.
Southern Arizona needs blood year round because local hospitals and trauma centers often run on only a one-day supply.
"The best thing to do is educate people about donating blood," McCormick said. "It's a personal thing and most people aren't willing to give blood unless they know how many lives they can save."
To make an appointment, call 1-800-GIVELIFE.
