Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Greek Week Blood Drive donates 3,600 pints
Ryan Maris, Corner Post Staff

April 26, 2004 - With an opening ceremony by Mike Alden, and Gary Pinkel donating along with a number of other Mizzou athletes, the blood drive was more publicized than ever for more than one reason.

When talking about saving 10,000 lives with the blood donated, Blood Drive Steering Committee member Jesse Danley said, "Nothing else can top that high during Greek Week...The highlight of the drive was definitely at the end of the second day when we received the final total of 3,346 units."

There were approximately 3,600 units donated on the deferral day that was held April 20th for those who couldn't donate before.

The goal set was 3,200 units and as the steering and core committees worked together with the king and queen candidates and the American Red Cross, the goal was well exceeded.

"Planning is the easy part of the drive," Danley said. "The real congratulations go to those who came out and donated their time, pleasant attitudes, and of course their blood!"

Everyone came together with a positive attitude, Danley said, and the wait time was 20 to 45 minutes, which helped donations average to about 170 units an hour.

Even with all of the negative attention the blood drive received this year, after a sorority member sent an e-mail to her chapter encouraging them to lie in order to give blood, Greek Week organizers say it saved many lives and is one of the biggest drives in the state and rivals many blood drives across the country for its size.

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