NORMAL, Ill. – A total of 42 pints of blood was collected at a donation drive co-hosted by the Illinois State baseball team and the American Red Cross on Dec. 5 at Redbird Arena.
"The Illinois State Baseball program has been involved with the American Red Cross for 10 years now, and this campaign was another successful one," said Illinois State head coach Bo Durkac. "This time of year is about giving, and there is no greater gift than the gift of life. I want to thank Tammy Hibser and her staff, as well our athletic department, for putting on another successful event."
The Illinois State baseball team and the American Red Cross increased their collection total to 443 pints over the past 10 years. The 2014 donation total topped last year's by six pints. A total of 46 donors gave blood on Dec. 5, including 18 first-time donors.
Each pint has the ability to save approximately three lives. The blood donated on Dec. 5 has the ability to save 126 lives.
"The American Red Cross Heart of America Blood Region would like to thank Illinois State University and the baseball program for sponsoring the December 5, 2014 blood drive," said Hibser, an American Red Cross Account Manager. "With the holiday season having the highest demand for blood, while inventory is at the lowest, we appreciate ISU and the baseball program coming forth and helping at this difficult time of year. Giving blood is really a priceless gift."
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