Recent inclement weather has forced the American Red Cross to cancel several campus blood drives, resulting in a large dip in the Red Cross' blood supply, representatives from the organization said yesterday.

Already low on its supply, the Red Cross is hoping to make up for these numbers with drives to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Friday at the HUB Heritage Hall.

Wintry snow and ice has caused unexpected outcomes for blood drives -- at a recent blood drive on Tuesday, 794 donations were expected but only 534 received, said Marianne Spampinato, manager of the American Red Cross.

Spampinato added that this week's goal of blood units has been increased for today and Friday from 55 units to 75 units in an effort to replenish lost donations. Each week the Red Cross hopes to collect 1,000 units of blood, which is then distributed throughout 100 hospitals.

To give blood, donors must be 17 years or older, weigh 110 pounds and have good health conditions.

Also low this week is the supply of platelets, an essential product needed by cancer patients and those with other serious illnesses. However, unlike blood donations, those interested in donating platelets must make an appointment by calling 1-800-542-5663.

The Red Cross is also hosting blood drives this weekend for the Interfraternity Counicil/Panhellenic Dance Marathon and is planning on donating $2 to The Four Diamonds Fund for each unit of blood collected.

The blood drive will go from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the Intramural Building's gym three. All those who donate will receive an embroidered fleece scarf.

Those interested in more information can visit www.psuredcross.org.

Wendi Keeler, American Red Cross field representative for Penn State, is encouraging as many students as possible to come.

"All of these cancellations have been awful for our region, so we decided to increase our hours at the HUB-Robeson Center tomorrow and Friday," Keeler said.