by Anoukin Mooshabad
Daily Cougar StaffMembers of the University of Houston community donated a total of 145 units of blood during the Valentine's Blood Drive, Feb. 12-16.
According to officials of the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, the donated blood is enough to save 435 lives.
UH donated 157 units of blood last year, and UH's blood donations are low compared to other universities' donations. But Robert Whitfield, group program consultant and group tour consultant for the Blood Center, said the university still had good numbers.
"(Texas) A&M and (the University of Texas) draw hundreds of units; but, UH is a commuter campus, unlike A&M and UT," he said.
Whitfield also said each unit, or pint, UH community members donate will actually save three lives because each pint will be separated into three components.
The blood that the Blood Drive receives goes to hospitals in Harris County and surrounding counties, serving 161 hospitals in 21 counties.
Hospitals call the Blood Center's Hospital Services Center and request the units of blood they need per day.
Currently, 700 units of blood are needed in the area each day.
In this recent blood drive at UH, four campus organizations provided sponsorship: Student Publications, Club Managers Association, Beta Alpha Psi and the Accounting Society.
The Blood Center's mobile donation bus will be on campus Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near UH Entrance 14.
That blood drive will be co-sponsored by Sigma Chi and Delta Sigma Theta.
"The university central campus always has been supportive of the regional blood supply, and we appreciate that so very much and look forward to their continuing support," Whitfield said.
He also said anyone is welcome to come by and tour the Blood Center.
For more information, call Whitfield at 791-6241.