The results of the ASU and UA blood drive came up short, but was still successful, officials said Monday.
The blood drive at ASU, which ended Friday, generated 775 pints of blood, less than its goal of 1,200, said Brian Wasserman, spokesman for United Blood Services.
UA collected 1,200 pints, also short of its 2,000 pint-goal.
Even though ASU did not reach its goal, people will still benefit from the donated blood, Wasserman said.
“One pint of blood can help three hospital patients,” he said.
Any blood drive is successful, said Wilma Mathews, director of public relations at ASU.
“Throughout the year a lot of ASU students donate blood,” she said.
The blood drive was the only opportunity for many students to help after the tragedy of Sept. 11, Mathews said.
The 775 pints of blood will help over 2,300 Arizona hospital patients, Wasserman said.
According to United Blood Services an estimated 60 percent of the population will need blood or blood components sometime during their lives.
The traditional competition between ASU and UA was canceled because the universities decided to hold the blood drive as a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
“We didn’t concentrate on a challenge this year,” Wasserman said.
The two universities will go back to the competition next year, but the tribute made this year’s blood drive even more special, Mathews said.
“The idea of having a competition didn’t feel right,” she said.
The location of the blood drive, at Wells Fargo Arena, may have influenced the number of students who donated, Wasserman said. Usually the blood drive is held in the Memorial Union, but it was moved to the arena for more room.
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