University News
Pay It Forward Blood Drive Jan. 31
January 7, 2011
MACOMB, IL -- Take the opportunity to "Pay It Forward" and donate blood at Western Illinois University on Monday, Jan. 31. The blood drive is slated from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Horrabin Hall gymnasium on Western's Macomb campus and is open to the public.
Organized by Gretchen Steil Weiss and Shannon Reed -- both graduate students in Western's liberal arts and sciences (LAS) program -- for a final class project, the event is open free to those who want to "pay it forward" this month, which is National Blood Donor Month.
"Since 1970, January has been recognized as National Blood Donor Month," noted Reed. "According to the American Association of Blood Banks, approximately 39,000 units of blood are required daily in hospitals and clinics to help treat patients in need of blood. Many people do not realize the impact or need of a blood transfusion until one is needed for himself or herself or for someone they love. This blood drive will help us pay it forward to those in need, as well as will enable others to help provide the life-saving gift of blood."
Steil Weiss added that the winter season is a critical one for blood donations.
"We hope the event will make it a bit easier for individuals to donate blood during this time and will encourage those who are eligible to donate to do so," she said.
Interested individuals can make an appointment by contacting Reed, Steil Weiss or the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center at (800) 747-5401. Walk-ins are welcome after 11 a.m.
The Pay It Forward Blood Drive is also sponsored by the Disability Resource Center at Western Illinois University and the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center.
For more information and/or to make an appointment, contact Steil Weiss at GE-Steil@wiu.edu or Shannon Reed at SR-Reed@wiu.edu. Learn more about the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center at www.bloodcenter.org.
Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
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