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A spirit that is not afraid

A different dry campus

Orange and blue are not the only colors Auburn needs to bleed right now.

With the April storms and general need for blood in Alabama, the Plains are in need of healthy blood donors.

The Student Government Association partners with the American Red Cross each year to host four blood drives, one in January, April, September and November.

On average the drives accumulate 400-600 pints of blood.

"The Red Cross is always in constant need of blood, especially since the tornadoes last April," said Courtney Kyzar, SGA director of blood drives. "The blood supply is extremely low."

In the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region, about 21 percent of blood donations come from high school and college students, according to the Red Cross.

Although Auburn has about 24,000 students, participation in blood drives has been low in comparison with other universities.

"We just went to a blood drive at Appalachian State University where they had over 12,000 students give blood in one day, and they have 15,000 students, which is a lot less than what Auburn has," Kyzar said.

SGA has been investigating why Auburn's donations are low, but can't find a concrete reason.

"I think Auburn is definitely in a more conservative area where they're maybe a little bit more stuck in their ways," Kyzar said.

"Students up North tend to be a little bit more open to change and trying new things, so that could be a reason."

Students will have an opportunity to donate Nov. 8-10 at the annual Beat Bama Blood Drive. Last year, Auburn collected 525 units beating Bama.


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