Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge Ends Thursday at TAMIU

Students at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) are eager to reclaim the champion title in the National Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 – Thursday, March 26 in the TAMIU Student Center parking lot.

The community is invited to help TAMIU students reach their goal by donating blood Tuesday, March 24 and Wednesday, March 25 from 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 26 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The National Cesar Chavez Blood Drive is a nationwide effort to encourage students to engage with their community by way of blood donations. More than 220 colleges and universities around the country competed last year. TAMIU came in 23rd in the nation.

“Hispanic donors tend to have O-type blood,” said Liza Guzman, donor recruitment consultant in Laredo for South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, “While all blood types are vital to the blood supply, donors with type-O blood can give to a wide variety of patients. That’s why they are so special to the community blood supply.”

STBTC says it’s important for the Hispanic/Latino community to donate blood regularly, but it’s also important to help TAMIU win this year’s competition. Participating schools are not only ranked based on the number of pints of blood collected, but the number of Hispanic/Latino donors who register to give at blood drives.

“The Dustdevils are excited to participate again this year, and we hope to beat last year’s collection, which was 241 donations,” said Gustavo Salazar, University College Student Support Services Grant Program academic coordinator, and blood drive coordinator, “Because of our diverse population in Laredo, we know we can encourage more Hispanic/Latino donors to donate blood and save lives in our community.”

Donors must present identification. Anyone who is 16 years old and weighs at least 120 pounds (with a parental consent form), or 17 years old and weighs at least 110 pounds and is in good general health may donate blood. All presenting donors will receive a T-shirt, refreshments, a mini-physical and are encouraged to eat before and after donation.

For more information, contact Salazar at Gustavo.salazar@tamiu.edu or 326.2712 or visit offices in Dr. Billy F. Cowart Hall, room 208B.

TAMIU offices are closed for Spring Break March 11-13 and reopen on Monday, March 16.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu