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 last year's blood drive.

There are only two days remaining for UA students to donate blood and beat ASU in the 17th annual UA, ASU, and NAU blood donation challenge.

The blood drive, organized by the Arizona region of the American Red Cross Blood Services, kicked off on Monday as part of a weeklong contest between the three state schools.

The goal for this year's competition is to raise over 1,500 pints of blood to be used in local and state hospitals. The UA's goal is set at 635 pints, and as of yesterday, 309 had been raised.

ASU has about 475 pints donated with NAU, who is participating in the challenge for the first time, coming in third with 250 pints donated.

Although the UA beat ASU last year, donation levels were down significantly from 2001, which could have been a result of Sept. 11, said Todd McCormick, an American Red Cross Representative for donor recruitment.

The UA raised 770 pints last year.

McCormick said that donation levels at the UA usually lag in the beginning with donations increasing towards the end of the week.

"Usually UA students wait until the end of the challenge to donate," said McCormick. "The drives start out slow, and everyone tries to donate in the end."

The goal for this year is 635 pints. McCormick said the UA lowered its goal because of midterms and busy student schedules.

"Hopefully midterms won't hurt us," McCormick said. "We try to work around dates on the UA calendar."

According to the American Red Cross, statistically 97 percent of Americans will need a blood transfusion by the age of 72. Only 5 percent of the U.S. population donates blood.

McCormick said typically 300 pints of blood are used a day in hospitals with burn victims, cancer patients and those with trauma injuries.

"Now in Arizona we're at an all-time low," McCormick said. "The shelf life of blood is only 42 days, we always need those replenishments from donors."

Despite the UA's slow start in the challenge, donation sites around campus have been busy all week with donors.

"It's important to give blood," said Amanda Fine, a political science senior who was walking by the Campus Health Center and decided to stop and donate. "I know there was a huge donation after 9/11, but you have to donate several times a year to keep that supply up."

Angel Toumtas, a paramedic with the American Red Cross at the La Paz Residence Hall donation site, said students who are wary of needles or nervous to donate usually leave relieved.

"There's always a fear of the unknown for first time donors," said Toumtas. "Usually people leave thinking 'I got nervous over nothing.'"

Charlie Salemi, a veterinary science sophomore donating at La Paz on Monday, said he chose to donate blood for reasons that hit close to home.

"My brother has a rare heart disease, and he's had two open heart surgeries which have required a lot of blood," Salemi said. "I know how important donating blood is."

If helping to save a life isn't enough of a motivation for students to donate blood, free t-shirts are being given away at each donation site. Students can also sign up to enter a raffle for a signed basketball by the UA men's basketball team, as well as two pairs of Matchbox 20 tickets.

Today, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., blood donations will be taken on the third floor of the Student Union Memorial Center, 1301 E. University Blvd., in the Tucson and Catalina Rooms. Kaibab-Huachuca Residence Hall, 922 E. Fourth St., will be taking blood donations only from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Students' final opportunity to donate will be tomorrow, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Campus Health Center.

For more information on donating blood, please contact the American Red Cross at 917-2820, or visit their Web site at www.givelife.org.