UALR faculty, staff, and students are invited to help out the American Red Cross by participating in the first blood drive of the semester.

The blood drive will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, in the University Commons Building in the center of the four residence halls near Fair Park Boulevard. Walk-ins are welcome, but those wanting to reserve a time can do so at the UALR Staff Senate website.

“The university has long been a host site for blood drives, routinely meeting its goal amount of units donated,” Jennifer Godwin, blood drive coordinator for UALR, said.

“The Staff Senate hopes to see a great turnout – the blood our campus donates will go to fill a direct and urgent need at one of our area hospitals.”

The process takes about an hour, including the registration, mini-physical, the donation (which lasts about 10 minutes), and resting period (which includes refreshments).

According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Type O is the blood type most often requested by hospitals.

The need for donations is constant. One person’s blood donation may help up to three people. Donated red blood cells have a shelf-life of up to 42 days, and a healthy donor may donate every 56 days.