Students and community members will have an opportunity to donate blood at Wednesday’s American Red Cross blood drive on campus.

The blood drive, which is sponsored Lambda Phi Eta, Alpha Epsilon Delta and Alpha Phi Omega, will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Tracy Torbeck, territory manager for the American Red Cross Donor Services, said that donating blood is “giving the gift of life.”

“When people go in to donate blood they usually donate a pint. All types of blood are welcome, especially type ‘O,'” Torbeck said. “Blood type ‘O’ is the universal donor and can be helpful to anyone that would need blood.”

Torbeck suggested for donors to eat a good breakfast and come in healthy.

It is also important for potential donors to make sure that there is no alcohol or Tylenol in their systems 12 hours prior to donation time. Torbeck mentioned that it could make the blood test results false and they could permanently deny a potential donor from giving blood.

Torbeck mentioned that first time donors might need company if they are feeling apprehensive.

“The first time that you give blood it could be overwhelming,” she said. “It might help if you bring a friend, or I will have volunteers that will walk you through the process.

“The body carries ten to twelve pints of blood and within 24 hours they are all replaced.”

Refreshments and t-shirts will be provided for donors.

Donating blood takes about ten minutes after an informational form is completed, Torbeck said.