Southern California’s rain deficit may soon bring a drought of a different color.

The American Red Cross’ Southern California Region sent a plea across the country about two weeks ago, asking other states to help replenish its dwindling blood supply as some of the worst wildfires California has seen put the region’s blood drives on hold.

“There was and still is a need for blood in that area,” Robert Ferrera, associate donor recruitment representative for American Red Cross, said. “Our goal is to make sure we’re constantly shipping to areas that don’t have enough. That’s the way the Red Cross is set up.”

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SIUC’s Greek organizations held the second of this year’s four Greek blood drives Thursday. Blood collected will be shipped to southern California after southern Illinois blood supply needs are met.

Elizabeth Shaw, a sophomore from Shelbyville studying accounting, said she volunteers at blood drives to fulfill her 10 hour volunteer requirement for Tri Sigma.

“Since I can’t give blood, this is how I contribute,” Shaw said.

Students automatically get two hours of volunteer credit when they donate blood.

Ferrera said the Little Egypt Network, which serves 14 southern Illinois counties, functioned all summer with a half a day’s supply of blood, even though their goal is to keep eight days supply on hand. The network is currently functioning on a two-day’s supply, but will ship blood to southern California, Ferrera said.

Ferrera said back up blood supply has gone down because the number of people eligible to give blood in the United States has dropped from 60 percent to 39 percent. He said the decrease is the result of social norms, such as tattooing and increased travel.

Tattooing is an even greater issue in Illinois because tattoo artists in the state do not have to be licensed. Because of the possible risks of unregulated tattooing, there is a one-year wait between when a person gets a tattoo and when they are eligible to give blood again.

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Danelle Carter, a freshman from Oswego studying dental hygiene, said she didn’t know her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, was competing against other Greek organizations in the blood drive.

“I love to give blood and it’s volunteering,” Carter said. “After I give blood, I’m going to go recruit more people.”

Brandy Oxford can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 255 or [email protected].