NDSU Athletics Hosts 18th Annual Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive

The 18th annual Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive, sponsored by North Dakota State University Athletics and United Blood Services, is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10 and Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Bison Sports Arena. Donations will be taken from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both dates. The goal of this year's blood drive is gather 400 units of blood. The Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive started in 1992 and has averaged approximately 261 donors with 240 units drawn over the 17 previous two-day events. The Bison Valentine Victory Blood Drive has averaged 108 first-time donors per year. United Blood Services provides blood and blood products for patients at 73 hospitals in North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, and are in dire need of donations at this time. The purpose of the blood drive is to involve all athletics staff, student-athletes and coaches from each of North Dakota State's 16 intercollegiate sports. Each NDSU student-athlete is encouraged to recruit as many volunteers as possible for the blood drive. Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds. Donors also must show a list of medications taken in the past month and identification containing their legal name with a date of birth, photo ID, social security number or a United Blood Services assigned donor number. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Last year 58 walk-ins participated. Appointments are scheduled for every 15 minutes, and those wishing to schedule a time to donate are encouraged to call the NDSU Athletic Office at (701) 231-7807 or e-mail Lynn Dorn, the Director of Women's Athletics, at Lynn.Dorn@ndsu.edu