Vivian Ugent, Southern Ilinois Coordinator for the American Red Cross said traditionally this blood drive is held after Labor Day, but the shortage has caused concern especially going into a holiday weekend.

We’re having to start the blood drive three days prior to the holiday, (Sept. 4), she said.

Ugent said throughout the summer the blood supply has been in the danger zone with six of the eight blood types having less than a one day supply of blood.

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The goal for the blood drives Ugent said is 640 pints. The region uses 1,000 pints a day, and currently has a shortage of 2,000 pints.

College credit will be given to those students who volunteer at the drives or those donating blood.

The first of the blood drives will be held 3:00-8:00 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday at the Delta Chi house at 105 Greek Row, the second will be held at the Pi Kappa Alpha house at 408 W. Mill St. from 3:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and the third drive before the holiday will be Sunday, September 3 at the SIU Rec Center from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The rest of the blood drives will be held after Labor Day.

Jarid Brown, of Delta Chi said the reason his fraternity is sponsoring a blood drive is to repay the Carbondale community for supporting the Greek system.

Every year Delta Chi has a blood drive at the house. The Greek system puts a lot in the blood drive because the community has given so much to usit’s a way to give back, because of such a need for blood, Brown said.

Brown also said a lot of people make poor excuses for not wanting to give blood.

Ugent said donors must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least110 pounds. She also said Donors must wait two months after an initial blood donation before they can give blood again.

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Donors will be required to undergo a mini-physical prior to giving blood which consists of an iron count and the taking of temperature, pulse and blood pressure.

Transportation, baby-sitting, blood buddies(to assist first time donors) and refreshment will be provided, Ugent said.

A variety of volunteers from groups such as Emeritus (a group of retired SIU faculty and staff), Delta Chi, Pi Kappa Alpha and the Saluki Volunteer Corps will be assisting at the drives.

Those wishing to make an appointment to give blood may call Ugent at 457-5258 or the Jackson County Chapter of the Red Cross.

Ugent said the Red Cross is still in need of volunteers for the week of the blood drives and for a sign-up table in the Student Center starting on Tuesday. Those who are interested may call Ugent or contact Kathy Lorentz at the Student Center.