The University of Maine at Presque Isle will host its annual spring semester American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 12 to 5 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Door prizes will be given away during this time. Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate in this free event.
This blood drive is sponsored by the UMPI Residence Life Office, the Brothers of Kappa Delta Phi, the Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS, and Phi Eta Sigma – National Honor Society. These organizations help the American Red Cross put on three blood drives each year, in the spring, summer, and fall.
If donors wish to reserve a time to make their donation, they should call 1-800-RED-CROSS or 768-9585 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can sign up at the new online appointment scheduler at www.redcrossblood.org. Just click on “Search by Zip Code” and enter 04769.
Since 1987, more than 4,700 pints of blood have been collected at UMPI through these blood drives. 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 as well as members of the surrounding communities to make a donation this year. They are aiming for 100 people to attend. For each person that donates, a possibility of three people in the United States are helped.
“A hero is a person who is willing to give up something to save a life,” Jim Stepp, Dean of Students and Interim Vice President of Student Affairs, said. “There are many examples of heroic behavior, some of which can prove to be quite difficult; other heroic acts can be as simple as rolling up your sleeves.”
All campus and community members are invited to take part in this life-giving event. In the U.S., someone needs blood approximately every two seconds. In comparison, the blood donation itself only takes 10 to 15 minutes – a very short visit when weighed against the lives that are saved.
Volunteers are also needed to assist with the blood drive. Anyone interested in volunteering or in need of more information should call 768-9585 or email james.stepp@maine.edu.
