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College support needed to increase local blood supply

The Mid-South blood supply is running low, and donations from college-aged students are critical to boosting reserves.

The U of M is hosting a blood drive in conjunction with Lifeblood today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the administration building.

Part of the Lifeblood Collegiate Challenge, today's drive is The U of M's chance to show up other local colleges and universities in an attempt to increase the region's blood supplies.

"The Collegiate Challenge is an effort to boost participation among college students," said Mitzi Hunt, communication specialist at Lifeblood.

Participation by high school students and donors in their late 20s to mid-30s is always high, Hunt said.

"Donations from college students tend to drop off, because of time and busy schedules," she said.

The local blood supply needs support and donations from college students.

"The Mid-South is at about 56 percent of where we need to be in terms of our blood supply," Hunt said. "We're never at 100 percent."

Mid-South hospitals use over 100,000 units of blood every year. One unit is roughly equivalent to a pint of blood.

Memphis area donations account for more than half of the blood used by local hospitals.

Memphis is the eighth largest medical center in country, and community hospitals depend on donors to meet needs for blood.

Because local donations aren't enough, additional blood must be brought in from other centers across the country.

"Our region relies on blood from many other states," Hunt said. "Disasters in other areas can affect our supplies here at times."

According to the Red Cross, of the 60 percent of the United States' population eligible to donate blood, only five percent volunteer to do so.

The Red Cross estimates that every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.

Lifeblood is currently running critically low on type O negative blood, Hunt said.

"As of today, we only have 28 units of type O negative on hand," she said.

Type O negative is considered the universal blood type and is used in emergencies.

Today's event is one of several blood drives The University holds each year.

"The University of Memphis has been a really good supporter of our efforts," Hunt said. "We encourage everyone to come participate."

Faculty, students, staff and other citizens wanting to give blood must be at least 17 years old, in good health and must weigh at least 110 lbs. All donors will receive a Lifeblood Collegiate Challenge T-shirt.

Additional information and appointments for donation times are available at 678.3304.


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