The Kent State Stark campus will hold a LifeShare Community Blood Drive today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Campus Center.

More than 650 units of blood have been collected since the Stark campus began holding blood drives with LifeShare in September 2005, said Diane Van Tilburg, donor recruitment representative for LifeShare Community Blood Services.

Through the LifeShare program, the Stark campus receives a $500 scholarship for every 35 pints of blood that is donated. Every individual donor receives a T-shirt and McDonald’s voucher good for a free sandwich or salad. Also, Mercy Medical Center will be providing free cholesterol checks and general health screenings.

Daysha Downing, Stark campus health educator, said from September 2006 to April 2007, the campus collected 272 units of blood, earning eight scholarships.

“This year we’ve already got off to a great start,” she said. “I believe we earned three scholarships from our last blood drive. I think we will do even better than last time.”

For additional information on this event contact Daysha Downing at 330-244-3390 or [email protected].

– Michelle Moore