Campus groups help eliminate blood shortage
Jan. 30, 2007
January is typically a month when there is a shortage in Missouri's blood supply. But this year the problem has become even more pronounced.
"People are typically busy with the holidays," said Emily Bach, donor recruitment account manager for the Boone County Chapter of the American Red Cross. "We try to prepare for the shortage."
Bach said the challenges placed on the American Red Cross by the bad weather have led to even lower blood supplies than those experienced in past years.
"This month has been particularly hard because of all the ice and bad weather," she said. "We've had to cancel a lot of drives. On top of already being in a critical situation, the cancellation of drives has made it even worse."
Several schools and student organizations on campus are mobilizing by holding blood drives.
Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity sponsored a blood drive last Wednesday. Alpha Gamma Rho President Andrew Howard said it was important to make students aware of opportunities to give blood.
"It gives not only our guys in the house but people in the community an opportunity to give blood," Howard said.
Howard said he wanted to make sure the Greek community was aware of Alpha Gamma Rho's blood drive as well as the drives during Greek Week.
"One of the things we did was we talked to different sororities," Howard said. "We went around last Monday and let them know about it."
He said the fraternity's blood drive attracted about 70 donors.
The School of Journalism is sponsoring a blood drive Tuesday.
"There's a blood shortage right now and we try to give at least once each year," said Ashley Post, the blood drive coordinator and a classified advertisement representative at the Columbia Missourian. "American Red Cross is at the lowest levels of blood right now than they've been in awhile."
Sigma Alpha agriculture sorority also plans to sponsor a blood drive soon.
"After Emily (Bach) told us about how the blood supply is so low, we thought that this was really something we should get involved with," Philanthropy Co-chairwoman Anne Beyer said.
Beyer said the sorority members were asked to publicize the drive.
"We asked them to tell their roommates and friends to donate blood," Beyer said.
According to the American Red Cross' Web site, the blood type most critically needed is O negative because it can be given to any patient, though all blood types are needed.
Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, be in good health and feel well the day of the blood drive.
Donors can give blood as often as every 56 days. Donors who donate now can still give during Greek Week.
People interested in donating can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or access americanredcrossblood.org.
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