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'Dracula' blood drive
The Daily visited with students at the 'Dracula' themed blood drive at the Catlett Music Hall on Tuesday, September 13, 2011. The drive was put on by the College of Fine Arts and inspired by the upcoming School of Drama production.
Vampires invaded Grayce B. Kerr Gothic Hall in Catlett Music Center on Tuesday to draw blood from students, faculty and staff.
The “Dracula Blood Drive,” a collaboration of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts and the Oklahoma Blood Institute, promoted the University Theatre’s production of William McNulty’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” showing Sept. 23 to Oct. 1.
The institute expected about 45 people to donate blood at the event, which took place from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Each donor gives one pint of blood per donation and can donate once every 56 days, said Kelley McPhail, blood program consultant.
“We need about 700 donors every day to meet hospital needs,” McPhail said.
Some blood banks have only a one day supply of blood at any given time, but Oklahoma blood banks attempt to have at least a three-day supply on hand because of events such as tornadoes and the bombing of the Murrah building that rapidly deplete reserves, McPhail said.
O-negative is the most sought after blood type because anyone can receive it regardless of their blood type; however, donations of all blood types are needed.
“I have O-negative, so I have recently tried to donate more because everyone always needs blood, and I’m a universal donor,” said Betsy Bailey, University College freshman.
Potential donors were given free health screenings to determine their eligibility. Donors also received donor rewards points, which can be used to purchase merchandise at the institute’s online store, according to the institute’s website.
All donors received an OU T-shirt and were given a chance to win tickets to the 2011 Bedlam football game.
The school gave away 20 pairs of tickets to the 11 p.m. Sept. 24 showing of “Dracula,” and 25 donors won T-shirts for the show.
The institute will host the second Bedlam Blood Drive Nov. 14-18 at the ROTC armory, McPhail said. Last year, OSU beat OU by 89 donations.
This year the goal is to draw at least 1,500 units, McPhail said.
“There’s no substitute for human blood,” said Sandra Bent, spokeswoman for the OU School of Drama. “One donation can save up to three lives.”
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braceyourself 8 months, 2 weeks ago
Sadly, so many of our students who are interested in the arts and saving lives aren't even legally allowed to give blood. When is that going to change?