University of Missouri and the American Red Cross to conduct 21st annual spring blood drive

The University of Missouri and the American Red Cross will soon team up for their 21st annual spring blood drive: “Give Blood, the Perfect Gift.”

The University of Missouri/Red Cross Spring Blood Drive will be held from noon to 10 p.m. April 7 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 8 in the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse on the MU campus.

Individuals are requested to take part in the annual tradition by donating blood. As the theme suggests, all blood types are needed. Opening ceremonies kick off at 11:30 a.m. April 7 and will Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.

“We again want to invite the entire campus of the University of Missouri to participate in the two-day spring drive and we welcome the entire Columbia community as well,” said Scott Caswell, CEO, Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region. “The University’s Greek organizations are the primary sponsors of this event over the years, but we are capable of handling additional donors from throughout the campus and the Columbia community.”

Potential donors should be in good health the day of donating, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 with a signed American Red Cross parental consent form). Federal regulations require whole blood donors to wait 56 days between donations.  To schedule a blood donation appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.