Blood drive passes goal

The annual Greek Week blood drive surpassed its goal by collecting 248 more units of blood than the previous years record.

The Interfraternity Council and National Panhellenic Conference at Southeast hosts one of the largest blood drives in the region with the American Red Cross, which is in critical need of blood donations.

This year's drive raised 1,194 units of blood, which was 5 percent over the goal.

Senior Madison McCracken, a member of Alpha Xi Delta, donated to help give back, like those who gave for her.

"I had to get a blood transfusion when I was born," said McCracken. "My twin sister took all of my blood, so I came out all blue and white."

A single donation can save up to three lives, meaning potentially 3,582 lives were saved through the drive.

"There's always a blood shortage, there's always disasters in America or somewhere around the world," said Jeff Dix, a donating community member. "They need the extra blood."

Michelle Johnson, the donor recruitment representative with the American Red Cross, said the increase in staff helped with spending more time with each donor and minimized the wait time to 10 to 15 minutes.

The four-day blood drive calculated 910 volunteer hours.

The organizers prepared for donors by scheduling 22 volunteers per shift. There were five shifts each day, totaling 110 volunteers.

"The event has progressed a lot; it runs a lot smoother now," McCracken said.

Greek Week director Kim Baich, a member of Alpha Delta Pi, said the relationship between the Greek system and the American Red Cross builds with each blood drive.

"Every year it seems to be a positive relationship," Baich said. "And I hope every year further on it keeps going."

The American Red Cross blood drive is an advance event for Greek Week, which will be held April 14 through 22.

Greek Week is a series of events that partners each chapter with another to compete and earn points for their overall score.

Phi Delta Theta won the traveling trophy for the most chapter donations with 108 percent.

Alpha Delta Pi won the blood-drop plaque with 563 points.

Junior Josh Lucas, a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, experienced his first blood donation which helped him begin to overcome his fear of needles.

"I just kept in my mind that this is a positive thing," Lucas said.