PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The American Red Cross and the University of Maine at Presque Isle are teaming up to pull off the University’s 10th “Super” Blood Drive this summer, the time of year when the need for blood increases.
The drive will be held from 12 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13, in the Campus Center’s multipurpose room. The event is being sponsored by the University’s Dean of Students Office, Phi Eta Sigma – National Honor Society, and the UMPI Red Cross Club.
Each year, the UMPI Dean of Students Office helps the Red Cross coordinate three blood drives on campus, one in the summer, one in the fall, and one in the spring. Walk-ins are welcome for both campus and community members and door prizes will be given away. If donors wish to reserve a time in advance, they should call 1-800-RED-CROSS or sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org by clicking on “Search by Zip Code” and entering 04769. The goal of the Super Blood Drive is to collect at least 150 pints of life-saving blood.
Everyone is encouraged to help save lives at one of the largest American Red Cross blood drives in Aroostook County. According to the American Red Cross, the need for blood increases during the summer months for two major reasons: People are more active during the summer and thus are more likely to receive injuries that require blood, and the amount of donations decreases during the summer due to people being busy.
Since 1987, nearly 5,100 pints of blood have been collected at UMPI. This year’s Super Blood Drive will also be the last one coordinated by now-retired UMPI Dean of Students Jim Stepp. Stepp has served as coordinator of 52 UMPI blood drives during the past 22 years and has been a part of collecting 4,700 pints of blood, including the amount he expects to collect this summer.
If you are not interested in donating, but would like to help out, be a volunteer. Volunteers are needed between 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. to help escort donors to the canteen and work at the canteen. Anyone who is interested in volunteering or would like more information about the Super Blood Drive can contact Stepp at jimandbeckystepp@gmail.com.
