In these winter months, it’s important to get your blood flowing. But you can take it a step farther, and give it to someone in need too. UCA is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a “We Challenge U” blood drive on campus to help restore their winter blood supply.

“It’s important all over for us to get donors, even when it [comes]to bad weather,” Red Cross Employee Tiffany Brown said.

The American Red Cross has two donation trailers that will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 28-30 near the Student Center courtyard.

There are often fewer donations in winter due to weather and seasonal sicknesses, making it a challenging season to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients.

According to Marci Manley, the American Red Cross Communications Program Manager, recent winter weather has caused hundreds of blood drive cancellations in 25 states, resulting in a shortfall of about 9,300 donations.

These cancellations have led to an urgent need for donations of blood types O negative and positive, A negative and B positive.

While Brown said all blood drives are important, she said college students between the ages of 16 and 25 are their bigger, more motivated donors.

Brown said they have had a good response in their first day of the blood drive.

“We always have a wonderful response at UCA,” she said.

Donors must be at least 17-years-old and have a blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification.

While the entire donation process takes about an hour, the actual donation process only takes about 10 minutes.

Each donor will be given a free T-shirt while supplies last and refreshments will be provided at the end of the donation process.

To make an appointment to donate or for more information, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit the donation page at redcrossblood.org and enter “UCA” in the sponsor field.