With less than a month left until the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the Penn State Student Red Cross Club is out for blood.

The Penn State Student Red Cross Club, in conjunction with the Greater Alleghenies Region American Red Cross, has organized a series of Thon blood drives.

Although some of the drives started in December, organizers said the majority of them start today and will continue through Thon weekend.

For every successful unit of blood collected, the Greater Alleghenies Region will donate $2 to the Four Diamonds Fund, said Wendi Keeler, American Red Cross field representative for Penn State and Red Cross Club adviser. Students donating can choose which student organization will be credited, she added.

"The whole reason we do Thon drives is to give students the opportunity to donate to the Four Diamonds Fund," Keeler said.

She said in the past, the Greater Alleghenies Region donates about $5,000 to the Four Diamonds Fund.

"Every little bit adds up," she said.

All students who donate will receive a Red Cross Thon shirt, Keeler said. She said this year the Red Cross logo was incorporated into the Thon logo to make it look like the child is embracing the Red Cross.

"The blood you donate can save the life of a Thon kid," said Patti Alonso (senior-life science) vice president of the Student Red Cross Club. Alonso added that other drives, taking place on Thon weekend, will allow donors to be entered into the National Bone Marrow Registry.

To be eligible to give blood, donors must be over the age of 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. For a complete list of donation sites or to make an appointment, visit psuredcross.org.