To: Long Island University faculty, administrators, staff and students
From: President David J. Steinberg
Re: University-wide Blood Drive

When it comes to the blood supply, we are “our brother’s keepers.” There is no substitute for blood. We all depend upon this elixir of life flowing through our veins and need access to blood from others when illness or accident strikes. In fact, nine out of 10 of us will need a transfusion at some point in our lives. When our blood supply is threatened, our very existence is in jeopardy.

In 2002, an FDA ruling, based on the threat of Mad Cow Disease, banned the use of blood from European donors, dealing a devastating blow to New York’s Blood Services’ reserves. This decision disqualified hundreds of thousands of pints of blood that Blood Services previously had imported from Europe, slashing its yearly supply by 25 percent and creating a dangerous shortage. At that time, the Long Island University community answered the call, donating more than 1,200 pints of blood to the cause.

A year later, the blood shortage persists. Unfortunately, blood products have a short shelf life and need to be continuously replenished. The University is once again partnering with Long Island Blood Services to meet the urgent need for blood in our area.

Each of Long Island University’s residential campuses will hold blood drives during the academic year. Please call the Student Activities Office at your campus for dates, times and locations. We encourage faculty, staff and students alike to come out and make a difference. Help us collect 2004 pints of blood in 2004. Each campus that meets its goal will host a party complete with food and entertainment for its blood donors.

You can be a part of the solution. When you give blood, your donation can mean the difference between life and death for a friend, family member or neighbor. Together, we can save countless lives.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must: have a valid photo ID; know your social security number; weigh a minimum of 110 pounds; and be between 17 and 76 years of age. You will not be able to participate if you have gotten a tattoo in the past 12 months.