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University Communications

University of Richmond Sets Donation Record With Hurricane Katrina Blood Drive

October 14, 2005

A University of Richmond blood drive held Sept. 12-13 on behalf of Hurricane Katrina victims set a record for per-capita donations to Virginia Blood Services.

The drive also produced the largest single-location donation of blood to VBS this year.

Undergraduates, law students, faculty and staff donated 228 units of blood and also collected money for American Red Cross hurricane relief. The university’s Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils managed the two-day drive.

“This record-breaking and highly successful blood drive impacted the ability of VBS to supply local hospital needs of blood,” said Nancy Deane, director of public relations at Virginia Blood Services.

"It is always exciting to see student empowerment create such commitment and success,” said Alison Bartel Keller, Richmond’s associate director of student activities. “This initiative demonstrates the character of our students, staff and faculty when caring for others, both in the Richmond community and the Gulf Coast region."

The university’s student organizations are planning another, larger blood drive next spring in collaboration with other central Virginia colleges.

“It will be a huge intercollegiate competition between Randolph Macon, Virginia Union, Virginia Commonwealth and Richmond to create an ongoing competition for the bragging rights and a trophy that will travel between schools,” Keller said.