Gator Pride runs in the blood of every University of Houston-Downtown community member. On June 7 and 8, that same blood can play double duty and help save lives. The Office of Student Activities is partnering with Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center for a drive where students, faculty and staff can donate blood.

Running both days from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in A300 (the White Oak Room), participants' donations will make a difference in someone else’s life. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. Interested donors may register online for June 7 or June 8.

The benefits of donating blood are plentiful:

A single donation can save up to three lives because a whole blood donation can be divided into three components—plasma, platelets and red blood cells.

• Plasma often is needed to replace fluids in burn and trauma patients.
• Platelets help cancer and bone marrow transplant patients recover.
• Red blood cells are used to treat cancer, surgery, and trauma patients.

The Blood Center requires that donors wear a mask or face covering when at a blood drive. In the case participants do not have one, staff will offer one to donors.