UD seeks third ‘Have a Heart’ blood drive title

11:28 a.m., Oct. 14, 2004--For the past two years, the University of Delaware has led the field in the Colonial Athletic Association’s (CAA) “Have a Heart” Blood Challenge. On Wednesday, Nov. 17, the Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) will visit UD to give True Blue Hen fans, friends and members of the UD community the opportunity to continue a winning tradition that helps save lives.

Volunteers can donate blood from 8 a.m.-8 p.m., in the Multipurpose Room of the Trabant University Center. Sponsors include the Resident Student Association, HOLA (Hispanic Organization for Latino Americans) and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

For those who donate, there will be Otis Spunkmeyer cookies compliments of UD Dining Services and drinks compliments of Coca-Cola. T-Shirts will be provided by the Blood Bank of Delmarva.

The River (94.7 FM) will be on hand with music and prizes. True Blue Hen and fan-favorite YoUDee will make an appearance to provide entertainment and encouragement to donors and Blood Bank staff members.

Because a record number of donors is expected, advanced registration is recommended, but walk-ins also will be welcome. Potential donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and have had no tattoos or body piercings in the last 12 months. Donors should remember to eat a good meal within three hours of donating.

Last year, during the biggest blood drive ever in the history of the Blood Bank of Delmarva, UD had 408 prospective donors, and 311 units of blood were collected, eclipsing the previous one-day record of 282 units collected at UD during the inaugural 2002 CAA blood drive.

The 2003 CAA Blood Challenge at participating schools attracted more than 1,900 perspective donors, which resulted in the collection of 1,409 units of blood, a 21 percent increase over the previous year.

“The success of the CAA Blood Challenge has far exceeded our expectations,” CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager, said. “While the enthusiasm and participation on each of our campuses has been outstanding, the most important outcome has been our ability to enhance each community’s blood supply. I applaud the institutions for undertaking this life-saving project.”

Member school contributions based on units collected during the 2003 CAA blood challenge include Towson University (203), UNC Wilmington (190), Drexel University (178) and Hofstra (177).

This year’s CAA blood drive began on Sept. 16 at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and concludes Monday, Nov. 22, at Towson University.

CAA institutions joining UD in this year’s drive are the University of North Carolina, Wilmington; Drexel; George Mason; Hofstra; James Madison; Old Dominion; Towson and the Virginia Commonwealth universities; and the College of William and Mary.

To sign up now to donate blood Nov. 17 at the Trabant University Center, call BBD at (302) 737-8400 or (800) 628-4008.

The CAA Blood Challenge was developed in 2002 at the suggestion of UD President David P. Roselle as a fun way to emphasize the critical importance of donating blood. Each CAA institution worked with its local blood service center and designated one day during the fall to conduct a campuswide blood drive. Student groups, faculty, staff and alumni were all encouraged to participate.

Article by Jerry Rhodes

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