As part of the national Music Saves Lives Blood Drive campaign, the Penn State Red Cross Club will be holding a series of blood drives -- and giving out free CDs.

The campaign is "geared toward fans that wouldn't normally donate blood," said Wendi Keeler, American Red Cross field representative for Penn State and Red Cross Club adviser. She added that the group aims to collect about 1,000 units of blood before the semester ends, a goal that she said is "definitely doable."

Music Saves Lives, a national organization that aspires "to help save lives by creating simple opportunities for people to give and get back something special related to music, musical artists and general entertainment," according to a press release, is also donating compilation CDs.

All blood donors will receive the CD, Red Cross intern Sharon Mastrobuoni (junior-elementary education and public relations) said.

The free CD features bands that will be performing at the 2007 Vans Warped Tour, such as Head Automatica, New Found Glory, Sugarcult, Jack's Mannequin and Relient K.

There are two rounds of blood donation. The first series started in March and will last until May. The second phase of the Music Saves Lives blood drives will begin in June and last through August. For those drives, donors will have the opportunity to receive a backstage pass to one of the 2007 Vans Warped Tour dates, Mastrobuoni said.

Keeler said the Red Cross collects considerably less blood after students leave.

"Region-wide, 11 percent of blood collected is from local schools, both colleges and high schools," she said.

She added that, overall, Penn State students don't donate at home in the summer, which leaves many regions in a shortage. "We never have enough blood," Keeler said. "We are always in a chronic shortage."

She said only 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood.

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.