The American Red Cross still needs your blood - even after yesterday's blood drive.

"Two-hundred-ninety-seven people registered and 247 people were able to give blood. Our goal was 300 pints but this was a good effort, considering the circumstances," said Connie Schroeder, the campus coordinator.

"Today we were trying to call out people who aren't regulars, because of the shortage due to the flu," Schroeder said.

"We definitely have a shortage, but it's not critical. Collections are way down this semester. Collectively, the Red Cross is doing well meeting the needs of hospitals. Type Os are always needed," she added.

Helen Small, blood mobile chairman, said, "Today's blood drive is not going as well as we expected, not because students are not eager. It's because they have symptoms. They're just getting over the flu."

The lack of blood can mostly be attributed to the flu epidemic, but the Red Cross hopes that the flu will subside to increase the number of blood donations in the upcoming weeks, Schroeder said.

"We definitely are down from normal," Schroeder said. "A good number of people aren't even showing, because they don't feel well. Others are showing up with symptoms. If you're not feeling well, we'll have to reject you."

"You have to be off medication for two days to give blood," said Small. "Students are coming in saying that they feel weak. If you don't feel quite well, you should wait until next time to give."

Schroeder and Small said there are some solutions to the shortage.

"We'll just run some more blood mobiles. Students account for a lot of the blood here. They are the backbone of the program, but we'll just go somewhere else if we have to,"Small said.

"There are additional blood mobiles set up in this community to try and meet the quotas. We are committed to the hospitals," Schroeder said.

The participation of fraternities and sororities may also help solve the problem, said Schroeder. "We've had wonderful support from four fraternities during the shortage. Tau Phi Delta, Alpha Zeta, Delta Theta Sigma, and Alpha Chi Rho did an outstanding job in bringing people to participate in the blood drive. They are an extremely valuable part of the program. Members who had the flu handed out flyers and worked inside."

The Red Cross is hoping for a better turnout in the following weeks as the flu epidemic dies down, said Schroeder.

"Today finishes up the HUB drive," Schroeder said. "Next week we will be in the residence halls with a Valentine's day theme, 'Let Your Love Flow.' This will be sponsored by ARHS."

The Bloodmobile will be located in Simmons Lounge on Tuesday, Warnock Hall on Wednesday, and Finlay Union Building on Thursday.