COLUMBIA, MO. -- Update: Friday, Oct. 15 at 4:25 p.m.
This year's Mizzou Homecoming Blood Drive may help save thousands of lives.
The Red Cross said it passed its goal and collected more than 4,200 units of blood over the four-day event.
Red Cross officials said the collection could help upwards of 12,600 people.
Original Story:
They’ve been doing it 25 year’s strong.
That’s the theme of this year’s University of Homecoming Blood Drive.
The American Red Cross and the University of Missouri have collected 86,000 units of blood since 1985 at the Hearnes Center event. Mizzou Alumi Association Executive Director Todd McCubbin and Red Cross CEO Scott Caswell were the first to donate blood during the 25th Annual Mizzou Homecoming Blood Drive.
“The tradition of giving blood is something that we hope we started with all of our alums that have been through this and our current students today," Mccubbin said. "It’s a great time to come out and support a great organization and do it with black and gold.”
“We’re going into the holiday season, which is typically a little bit rougher," Caswell said. "We need blood every day of the week, every day of the year.”
The goal for this year’s drive is 4,000 units of blood. Every unit of blood collected at this blood drive stays right here in our backyards. One unit of blood can save up to three lives.
Blood donors eat pizza, cookies and other snacks for their generosity. Donors also get a collector’s T-shirt while supplies last.
“Everything has gone really well," Steering Committee Member Katie Doerhoff said. "It’s really awesome to see it all come together. This is the 25th anniversary. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s awesome to see it finally come together.”
The blood drive takes place through Thursday. Nearly 12,000 lives could be helped because of the four day event.
For more information about the blood drive or how you can donate blood, you can click on the link below.
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