An end-of-October tradition to donate blood will continue at UCCS Oct. 29-31 in University Center 116.
For 25 years, UCCS faculty, staff and students have donated blood as part of a community effort. Organizers estimate that one pint of donated blood can save three lives.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day with the blood collection done by Bonfils Blood Center. Bonfils recently took over the blood collection services previously offered by Memorial Hospital.
For more information about blood donation requirements or to set an appointment, call (800) 365-0006 or visit www.bonfils.org and enter site code A390.
The tradition of late-October blood drives at UCCS dates to the late 1980s when former accounting supervisor Juan Garcia organized the event, dressing as Count Dracula to make it more fun for workers and donors alike. The tradition was continued by Gayanne Scott, executive director, Resource Management Division, who served as chair or co-chair of the drive from 1996 to 2003. This year, Scott and Ida Dilwood, director, Disability Services and University Testing Center, are co-chairs of the event with the UCCS Black Student Union joining as a co-sponsor.
Gayanne Scott has donated about six gallons of blood, one pint at a time. For Dilwood, next week’s event will be her first attempt at donating blood.
“I’ve wanted to donate before but it seemed like I was either pregnant or sick when the drive came around,” Dilwood said. “I hope next week will be my first time and that others on campus will join me.”
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