While students return to their homes for holiday festivities and companionship, the LifeSouth Community Blood Centers remain lonely places.
With the exodus of the student population, so goes nearly 30 percent of blood donations LifeSouth receives in Gainesville, said Christine Evans, LifeSouth donor services manager.
"It starts right around Thanksgiving because people are focused on other things," she said. "Everyone is thinking about their holiday plans, and people just aren't thinking about the blood supply."
To prepare for a dip in the blood supply, LifeSouth plans events strategically to coincide with times when blood supplies are lowest.
The Greek Blood Drive is held twice a year. The fall semester drive, which ended last week, used to be held in mid-October but was delayed to be closer to the holidays, Evans said.
LifeSouth also works with local media and radio stations to advertise the shortage in the blood supply. Blood donor stations are moved to different locations, and LifeSouth has promotions with local companies to increase awareness.
"The coupons and cookies are a definite plus for donors," Evans said.
