The Angels for Life Blood Drive is back to campus, but this event is more significant than in previous drives, an Indiana Blood Center representative said.
Kristine Pierce said the significance of this year's drive is that participants can register for bone marrow and organ donations as well.
This year's blood drive will be sponsored by the Indiana Blood Center as well as Be the Match and Donate Life Indiana, which are all hosting the first "Live to Give" drive.
Pierce said this is a substantial step for a blood drive to be offering other donor registrations.
"Whatever we gain, we are going to have that many more lives touched this year," Pierce said.
Pierce, who has traveled to Purdue University and Indiana University for blood drives, said Ball State holds the record for the largest drive in the state.
"We try really hard to make sure we have 450 to 500 people [at the blood drive]," Pierce said.
Pierce said when hosting the drive at Ball State in previous years, they have exceeded that expectation to 600 participants.
"We try to educate [students] on the importance of donating," Pierce said. "Only about five percent of the population donates and we really need [the student's] help."
Pierce said 30 percent of donors are high school and college students.
The Food and Drug Administration requires blood donators to be at least 17 years old, 110 pounds and in good general health with a photo ID and the ability to answer a series of questions and complete a mini-physical.
The entire process will take up to 40 minutes, but Pierce said it's worth it because not only is there the potential to save one life, but three, and that "you never know if the one you love is going to need blood."
The drive is from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. today and Wednesday in Pruis Hall. Today's blood drive is titled "9/11 Day of Giving."
Participants can sign up online at donorpoint.org and walk-ins are also welcome.
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