VSU vs. West Georgia Blood Drive to Support Hurricane Relief Oct. 19

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University has teamed up with the American Red Cross for the annual VSU vs. West Georgia Blood Drive from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, in the blood donation mobile near Palms Quad.

All VSU faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to participate.

Blood donations will support Hurricane Matthew relief efforts. The blood drive is co-sponsored by VSU’s Student Government Association and the Mu Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

The annual blood drive is a friendly competition between VSU and the University of West Georgia. A trophy is awarded to the school with the highest number of donations. UWG won the competition last year. VSU set a goal to collect 50 units of blood in hopes of taking the trophy back while supporting hurricane relief efforts.  

"We are all faced with adversity, and unfortunately many coastal universities and states have gone through a difficult time due to Hurricane Matthew,” said Maya Mapp, SGA president. “It is our duty as the students of Valdosta State University to give back and to help other students and families in their time of need.”

The American Red Cross encourages all who are eligible to consider donating blood. Someone needs blood every two seconds in the United States, and one blood donation can potentially save three lives.

Appointments can be made online, but walk-ins are also accepted. To set up an appointment time, go to http://www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive/driveSearch.jsp and use sponsor code “VSU.”

Contact Maya Mapp at sga@valdosta.edu or mamapp@valdosta.edu or call (229) 333-5941 for more information.