Students, staff and community members came to the UTSA blood drive Tuesday
and Wednesday after the Tuesday morning terrorist attacks. The two-day drive
conducted by the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, brought in 316 units of
blood. Additional UTSA drives are being planned for the near future.
UTSA community members donate blood to do their part
(Sept. 14, 2001)--A total of 316 units of blood was collected from 380 people during a blood drive Tuesday and Wednesday at UTSA. The violent events on Tuesday motivated many people on campus and in the community to donate blood to help those affected by the attacks.
The South Texas Blood & Tissue Center staff saw 152 students and collected 127 units of blood on Tuesday at a blood mobile outside the University Center on the 1604 Campus. At least 120 people were unable to wait for three to four hours in order to donate. The blood drive was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but due to the national crisis, the blood mobile remained until 9 p.m. to collect from those already waiting.
On Wednesday, Sept. 12, the blood drive was moved inside the Convocation Center due to the expectation of a strong turnout. Blood center personnel saw 228 people and collected 189 units of blood during the drive from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Once again, at least 100 people were unable to remain for a three to four hour wait.
"It was a very successful blood drive, and we encourage those who weren't able to wait, to return to other upcoming drives," said Patsy Berlet, assistant director of student health services. "The Blood & Tissue Center understands that staff members have a limited amount of time they can wait, so they will have additional drives set up very soon."
Additional blood drives will be scheduled in upcoming weeks, and will be publicized as soon as they are scheduled. Berlet said that even though blood is always needed, the supply becomes even more critical in times of emergency such as this. Blood supplies are needed locally, but are also sent to other parts of the country as needed.
----------------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
President
Bush proclaims Friday as National Day of Prayer and Remembrance
UTSA community members donate blood to do their part
UTSA
student's quick thinking helps make blood drive a success
Carlos
Fuentes speaking engagement postponed to undetermined date
----------------------------------------------------------