By Mackenzie Menter, copy editor
OCU Athletics and The American Red Cross will host a Valentine’s Day-themed blood drive.
The blood drive is from 1-7 p.m. Feb. 13 in the Great Hall in Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.
Event coordinators will be playing Valentine themed movies throughout the day for donors to watch while they donate and recuperate.
The first 45 people to present for donation will receive a $10 restaurant gift card. All donors will receive a free T-shirt.
The Red Cross’ donation theme of the year is “We Challenge U.” The theme of OCU’s drive is “Be a sweetheart, save a life,” in keeping with the Valentine holiday spirit.
“You can save up to three lives with one donation,” said Kaitlin Pontikes, finance junior and event organizer.
Pontikes was selected as a Red Cross Ambassador for the Southwest Blood Services Region. She is a member of the 2014 Red Cross/ NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program.
The program, founded in 2007, works to promote Red Cross awareness and increase the number of young adults donating blood on college campuses across the United States.
Pontikes was chosen as one of 13 college athletes nationwide to participate on this year’s leadership team.
The Red Cross will provide snacks and juice for donors to help them recover from the blood draw. All are welcome to stay and watch the movies to support the blood drive.
Donated blood is shipped to hospitals across the country to help patients who are lacking their own blood and need a transfusion to overcome illness and disease.
People are only allowed to donate blood every 56 days to ensure they do not strain their bodies.
The Red Cross will accept blood donations as well as double red cell donations.
Blood donations take about an hour and can come from donors of any blood type.
Double red cell donation takes about half an hour longer than regular blood donation. Donors with blood type O are encouraged to donate red cells.
This is the third Red Cross blood drive of this academic year. Pontikes encourages the OCU community as well as the surrounding area to participate in the drive.
“We hope to have as many people come out as possible,” Pontikes said.
Those who wish to donate can schedule an appointment online ahead of time at www.redcrossblood.org/rcbmobile/drive/driveSearch.jsp.
Walk-ins are welcome the day of the drive. There will also be a table outside the caf to sign up for the drive next week.
“It saves lives every day,” said Spencer Gualdoni, music theater sophomore.
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