Fall blood drive registration open

A+Coffee+Memorial+Blood+Center+worker+takes+blood+from+senior+McKenzie+Hampton+at+the+2016+fall+blood+drive.

Macy Mitchell

A Coffee Memorial Blood Center worker takes blood from senior McKenzie Hampton at the 2016 fall blood drive.

The Key Club will host the Coffee Memorial Blood Center Vein Drain blood drive Tuesday, Oct. 24 and Wednesday, Oct. 25 in the upstairs commons from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Students can donate if they are at least 17, or are 16 and have signed parental consent. All students need photo ID. Those intending to donate should contact Key Club sponsor Lance Culbert in room 1306 to set an appointment.

A single blood donation can help up to three people.

— Lance Culbert, Key Club sponsor

Donors will receive a ticket to Sixth Street Massacre Haunted House in Amarillo and a Vein Drain t-shirt to incentivize donations. Culbert said the goal is for 10 percent of the student body, or roughly 115 students, to give blood.

“There’s always people who are turned away, so we need more than 115 people to sign up,” Culbert said. “We’d like 140 people to donate or attempt to donate so we can have plenty of cushion for our goal of 115.”

Donors must complete a questionnaire to determine donation eligibility. Students can fill out the questionnaire in advance online using Donor Express.

“What people need to know is how much one blood donation can help,” Culbert said. “A single blood donation can help up to three people. It takes 45 minutes to an hour to donate, and it is really one of the best things you can do to help the community. There is always a need for blood and blood products.”