Only a few days into the Inter-Fraternity Council's week-long Crimson War blood drive, the organization is on track to meet its goal of collecting 1,200 pints of blood, IFC Community Service Chair Kayu Muigai said.
With 298 pints collected Tuesday, the blood drive set a record for the most pints collected in one day in the Crimson War's six-year history, Muigai said, also noting that Virginia Blood Services collected about 500 pints Monday and Tuesday.
"It's one big week that we can show the whole state that U.Va. students are giving," Muigai said.
Last year, the blood drive collected 1,015 pints of blood and earned the IFC a national award for university blood drives from America's Blood Centers, Virginia Blood Services spokesperson Brian Chandler said.
"U.Va. has always been a big supporter of Virginia Blood Services' blood drive," he said.
Chandler and IFC officials attribute much of last year's success to Facebook advertising, which has continued this year.
In addition, this year's drive coincides with two other major Greek events on Grounds.
"Combining the Crimson War with Greek weekend and Mid-Autumn's Carnival helped to build momentum," IFC President Charles Gamper said.
Students said the convenience of having the blood drive on Grounds made donating easy.
"I always thought I should, and it's right here," said Curry graduate student Lauren Rajabi, noting that she had not previously donated blood before.
Muigai said he hopes students will continue to donate this week, adding that blood donation trucks are located near Newcomb Hall, the Chemistry building and Westminster Presbyterian Church on Rugby Road. The donation sites are open from noon to 6 p.m.
Because the University's IFC chapter has won the Crimson War against the University of Maryland for at least the past four years, Muigai said the University's IFC might look for a different school with a stronger IFC structure to compete against next year.
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