052 ROLL UP THOSE SLEEVES FOR FALL BLOOD DRIVES

ROLL UP THOSE SLEEVES FOR FALL BLOOD DRIVES

MTSU Schedules 5 Campuswide Collection Dates for Local Red Cross

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 23, 2007
EDITORIAL CONTACT: Jennifer Kirk, 615-898-2590 or jkirk@mtsu.edu

Linda Decker, 615-330-5941 or deckerlp@usa.redcross.org

(MURFREESBORO)—Stock up on raisins and get plenty of rest this semester, because MTSU and the American Red Cross need your help to end the blood-supply drought.

A record-setting hot, dry summer also helped to dry up the local Red Cross’s supplies of blood, leaving it once again at crisis levels and forcing delays in elective surgeries across the community.

To replenish supplies and ensure plenty of help for emergencies communitywide, MTSU students, faculty, staff and friends are being asked to roll up their sleeves for the five blood drives set for fall.

“The students at MTSU really stepped up to the plate last year and made donating blood a priority. I don’t know what our region would do without them,” said Linda Decker of the local Red Cross’s Donor Resources Development Office. “I’m looking forward to another great year and have every confidence that we will exceed the totals from last year. ... How lucky we are to have this great campus in our area! Thanks, MTSU!”

The first of the fall 2007 blood drives is set for Tuesday, Sept. 11. Sponsored by the campus chapter of the Association of Secretarial and Clerical Employees, it’s scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 322 of the Keathley University Center.

Other blood drive dates are:

• Monday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cason-Kennedy Nursing Building (sponsored by the School of Nursing);

• Oct. 10-11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., KUC 322 and 318 (sponsored by the Student Government Association);

• Monday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., CKNB (School of Nursing);

• Tuesday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., KUC 322.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and feeling well and healthy enough for normal activities. They also can’t have donated blood in the previous 56 days.

For more information about the blood drives, contact 615-898-2590. Reminders also will be included in The Record, MTSU’s university publication.

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IN BRIEF: MTSU and the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross have teamed up to help ease the communitywide blood-supply drought by conducting five blood drives on campus during the fall semester. Dates are Sept. 11, Sept. 17, Oct. 10-11, Nov. 12 and Nov. 27. For more details, visit the “Calendars” link at www.mtsunews.com or call 615-898-2590.

For MTSU news and information, visit www.mtsunews.com.