The UNM General Library and other campus groups are joining the United Blood Services to sponsor a fourth annual blood drive today and Tuesday on campus.
The goal of the event is to collect 400 pints of blood during the drive, which will be at three campus sites.
"Since UBS requires 250 pints daily to keep up with their needs in New Mexico and the four corners region, there is always a critical need," Nancy Troutman said in a UNM statement. Troutman is the community relations representative for the United Blood Services.
UNM President Bill Gordon said the University has responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a variety of ways, including candle-light vigils and more hands-on responses by the UNM Health Sciences Center.
"This blood drive is another opportunity for people to help others, and the University is grateful for the chance to provide that," he said.
People can donate blood in Zimmerman Library and at the United Blood Services bus parked west of the visitor lot near the Center for the Arts both days of event. On Monday only, the United Blood Services also will have a bus accepting donations parked at the North Golf Course Parking Lot.
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"Many people donated blood immediately following the tragedies in Washington, New York and Pennsylvania. Those blood supplies will either be exhausted or expired by the end of October," Troutman said. "It is especially important for people to donate during this drive."
Widespread participation is needed because the United Blood Services is hampered by the following factors.
l Anyone who was in the United Kingdom between 1980-1996 is deferred for life from giving blood because of the presence of mad cow disease in that country and the lack of screening tests for the condition.
l Less than 4 percent of the eligible population of blood donors participate.
l Individuals can donate blood every 56 days.
l Anyone who has gotten a tattoo during the last year is deferred. Although tattoo artists use a new needle for each customer, they reuse the ink. By putting a clean needle in dirty ink, the customers are put at risk for Hepatitis C.
l O negative blood is always needed because it is the universal donor type but only 6 percent of the population has it.
"The tragic events of Sept. 11 made each of us aware that we are part of a larger national community," General Library Dean Robert Migneault said in a UNM statement. "By donating blood locally, people can demonstrate their support for the entire community of Americans. We, in the library, have had a longstanding relationship with UBS and want this drive to stand for the University community as a whole that we will do our part to heal the country's wounds."
Both the undergraduate and graduate student governments also are supporting the event and are encouraging students to participate.
"I believe it is important for the UNM community to come together to give something priceless to the people who have suffered firsthand from this great tragedy," UNM student Shelli Rosenfield said in a University statement. She is the executive director of Student Special Events. "We can buy new clothes, build new homes, but life is priceless and the blood that you can donate is something each person who receives it will be thankful for forever."
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