In conjunction with the American Red Cross, the University of Maine at Presque Isle will hold its annual fall blood drive on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2012. The drive will run from Noon until 5 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Multi-Purpose Room. Door prizes will be given away during this time. Members of the campus and community are invited and encouraged to participate in this free event.

The blood drive is sponsored by the University’s Residence Life Office, the Brothers of Kappa Delta Phi, the Sisters of Kappa Delta Phi NAS, and Phi Eta Sigma – National Honor Society. These organizations help the American Red Cross put on three blood drives each year, in the spring, summer, and fall.

Since 1987, 4,250 pints of blood have been collected at UMPI through these blood drives. The American Red Cross needs to collect 1,400 pints of blood each working day in order to supply the people of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Walk-ins are welcome; if donors would like to reserve a time in advance, they should call 768-9585 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Donors can also register online at www.redcrossblood.org. Just click on “Search by Zip Code” and enter 04769.

Both UMPI and the American Red Cross encourage members of the campus as well as members of the surrounding communities to make a donation this year. They are aiming for 100 people to attend. For each person that donates, a possibility of three people in the United States are helped.

“We are encouraging everyone to at least consider the possibility of becoming a blood donor,” said Jim Stepp, Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students. “It is relatively painless and doesn’t take much time.”

In the U.S., someone needs blood approximately every two seconds. In comparison, the blood donation itself only takes 10 to 15 minutes – a very short visit when weighed against the lives that are saved.