University Times

Pitt has launched the Pitt 4 Life 2002 Blood Drive Program, designed to encourage and recognize faculty and staff who donate blood four or more times this year.

Although all faculty and staff members are invited to participate in Pitt 4 Life, the campaign thrust will be to attract those individuals who have in the past donated blood more than twice in a year, according to G. Reynolds Clark, executive director of Pitt's Office of Community and Governmental Relations.

"We believe people who already are in the habit of giving blood likely would be willing to commit to four donations a year," said Clark. "This is an eminently achievable goal, since blood donations can be made safely every 56 days. Theoretically, individuals can donate up to six times a year without compromising their health in any way."

Clark added that Pitt — which annually ranks among the top Pittsburgh-area institutions in the amount of blood donated by its employees — is hoping that Pitt 4 Life will make a substantial contribution toward the Central Blood Bank's daily need of about 700 units of blood; this blood amount translates into approximately 400,000 blood products and derivatives required annually to satisfy patient needs for transfusion therapy.

On-campus blood drives will be held Jan. 29, April 16, July 9 and Oct. 22. Anyone who signs up for the Pitt 4 Life program but cannot donate blood on one of the scheduled on-campus days can fulfill his or her commitment at any Central Blood Bank community donor center by showing a donor card with the Pitt group number.

For more information about the program and the upcoming on-campus blood drives, call Gwen Watkins, community and governmental relations coordinator, at 412/624-7702.