The American Red Cross is experiencing a national blood shortage but Salukis and community members can help.
The 14th annual SIU Homecoming Blood Drive is Wednesday, October 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Student Center Renaissance Room. The Blood drive is one of the largest single day blood drives in Carbondale.
Tara Lincoln, a spokesperson for the Red Cross, say this blood drive is extremely important to making sure there is enough blood on shelves in a time of crisis.
"Everything is a pay-it forward idea. Our goal is to collect 175 units of blood. So, if we have some no-shows, if we have donors that are deferred for whatever reason, we may not be able to hit that number that we are guaranteeing our hospitals. It is crucial that we have donors come out so that we can insure that that blood we need collected is collected."
Lincoln says walk-in donations are always welcomed but donors are urged to download the Red Cross app to make appointments.
