Greek Week: Greeks collect 3,460 units of blood
Published April 21, 2006
With the theme "What is your reason?" Robert Carroll, media relations director for the Greek Week blood drive, said he hoped people thought about the reasons for donating blood.
"We hope people thought about the philanthropy aspect of the blood drive and will continue donating for years not only for points but to help the community and to save lives," Carroll said.
The American Red Cross collected 3,460 units of blood this year during Greek Week, falling short of its original goal of 3,600, Carroll said.
"It is amazing because we are saving so many lives," Carroll said. "The fact that Mizzou can come together and put on such a large blood drive is amazing considering most colleges don't have one at all."
Fraternity and sorority members as well as members of the campus and Columbia communities donated blood last Tuesday and Wednesday at the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse.
This year, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, composed of historically black sororities and fraternities, joined the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association.
Last year's blood drive collected more than 3,000 units of blood. Blood Drive Steering Committee member Ashley Parsonage said she was thrilled the drive brought in more of blood this year.
"Every year we try to increase upon last year's success and make some improvements to the blood drive," Parsonage said.
"This year we are really excited because we increased donations, and that has been our goal."
Greek Week Tri-Director Jeanna Hehl said she felt it was important for her to donate because when she was a child, she had to have several blood transfusions.
She said she has seen how blood collected in mid-Missouri is sent to outlying areas.
"As college students, we are the largest healthy population so we need to be donating as much as possible," she said.
According to the Greek Week blood drive Web site, Greek chapters that compete in the annual blood drive can earn up to 600 points for the Greek Week competition based on how many donors each chapter can recruit, how many volunteers they can send to the drive and chapter education on the blood drive.