Although the Bleed Orange Blood Drive is almost over, the Medic Regional Blood Center is still in dire need of blood donations, especially after a surge in accidents over the weekend nearly drained its supply of blood.
    
Christi Fightmaster, Medic’s director of public relations, said Medic currently has less than a day’s supply. Blood banks are generally expected to carry enough blood to last for seven to nine days.
    
“It was kind of the perfect storm for us,” Fightmaster said. “With less than a one day supply, we’re managing day-to-day. It’s not where we want to be.”
    
The blood drive has been taking place at UT for the past week. A Medic Bloodmobile will be at Neyland Stadium today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Today is the last day to donate blood on UT’s campus.
    
While the urgency for blood encouraged the Knoxville community to make more donations, UT’s total donations have not increased.
    
In fact, UT has donated less than the normal amount for this time of year. UT’s blood donations usually make up about two-thirds of what Medic collects in this area. UT is not donating nearly that amount. Of the 300 pints received on Tuesday alone, only 80 came from UT, not even a third of the donations.
    
“We’re definitely behind where we need to be,” Fightmaster said.
    
The decrease in donations could partly be due to Vanderbilt University dropping out of the annual Bleed Orange Blood Drive Competition, which pits the universities against each other to see which school can donate the most blood. It was meant to coincide with the upcoming Lady Vols and Vanderbilt Commodores basketball game, which will be on Feb. 9.
    
Although the competition has occurred for over 10 years, Fightmaster said that Vanderbilt decided not to participate at the last minute.
    
“It just didn’t work out this year,” Fightmaster said. “The competition does really help. ... I think that everybody wants to give what they can for UT. And when you think UT is going to win something, I think that does increase participation.”
   
 But Fightmaster stressed that even though there is not a competition, the need for blood is just as great.
    
Despite this year’s low numbers, UT is still a good source of donations to Medic. Many students donate for the first time while at the university.
    
Matt Rossman, a donor resource coordinator, estimated that 25 percent of UT’s donors are first-timers.
    
“We do get a lot of new donors,” Rossman said. “We’ll get a lot of freshmen who maybe come from out of town donating with us.”
    
Repeat donors are also greatly appreciated, Fightmaster said.
   
 “We are very thankful for their repeat donations,” Fightmaster said. “We measure our success by creating an environment where the donor wants to return.”
    
It is recommended that donors eat before donating. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and have a picture ID.
   
Donors will receive a $5 coupon to Moe’s Southwest Grill. The coupon giveaway is not restricted to UT; donating at any other Medic location will also get donors a coupon.
    
More information on future donations, special gifts and donation sites can be found on Medic’s website www.medicblood.com. Medic also has a Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/medicblood and www.twitter.com/medicblood.