The Southern Illinois chapter of the American Red Cross is concerned that there will be a blood shortage because of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

We do not have blood drives planned for Thanksgiving Day, yet our region uses a 1,000 pints daily, said Vivian Ugent, coordinator of blood drives for the American Red Cross in the Southern Illinois region. We are trying to get the blood supply to an adequate level so that there is not a need to have emergency drives on Thanksgiving.

The Red Cross provides the blood for all of the hospitals in Southern Illinois.

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The Red Cross will be on campus today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Student Center, noon to 6 p.m. at Trueblood Hall and 3 to 8 p.m. at the Recreational Center. The Red Cross will be at University Mall from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For more information call 457-5258.