PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its annual spring semester American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 12-5 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room.
Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate in this free event, sponsored by the UMPI Dean of Students Office, the Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. Door prizes will be given away.
Walk-ins are welcome. However, if donors wish to reserve a time, they should call 1 (800) RED-CROSS or sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org. Click on “Search by Zip Code” and enter 04769.
The sponsoring organizations help the American Red Cross put on three blood drives each year, in the spring, summer, and fall. Since 1987, nearly 5,100 pints of blood have been collected at UMPI. The American Red Cross needs to collect 1,400 pints of blood each working day in order to supply the people of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Both UMPI and the American Red Cross encourage members of the campus and surrounding communities to donate this year. They are aiming for 100 people to attend. For each person who donates, a possibility of three people in the United States are helped.
“Everyone would like to help someone in a difficult time,” Jim Stepp, dean of students, said. “By donating blood, you are doing just that — helping someone at a difficult time. The pint of blood you give will help save the life of someone or one of their loved ones. You may even help save the life of someone you know.”
In the U.S., someone needs blood approximately every two seconds. In comparison, the blood donation itself only takes 10-15 minutes — a very short visit when weighed against the lives that are saved.
In addition to donors, volunteers are also needed to assist with the blood drive. Anyone interested in volunteering or in need of more information should call 768-9601 or email james.stepp@maine.edu.
