The Pat Walker Health Center's Wellness & Health Promotion department is teaming up with the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks for the annual Well Pig Sooie Blood Drive, happening Jan. 25-26 in the Arkansas Union Ballroom.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to drop by between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to donate blood. All donors will receive a special-event T-shirt!

Donating blood, apart from the obvious of saving lives, is also great for overall wellness. "Wellness is all about living life with high levels of awareness, conscious, intentional choice, interconnectedness, love, meaning and purpose," said Dr. Mink, director of wellness and health promotion. "Donating blood is a wonderful way to practice wellness in your own life."

Alert for All Blood Types

The Community Blood Center issued alerts for all blood types and urged all eligible donors to give this week.

"Every day, 220 blood donations are needed to supply our local hospitals. We couldn't do it without our generous volunteers throughout the community, said Savanna Swaffer, blood drive consultant for Community Blood Center. "We are excited to partner again with Pat Walker to remind students of the importance of blood donation and how much it can enrich many aspects of their lives."

Be the Match

Be the Match is an easy way to potentially save a life!

The campus community is also encouraged to sign-up for the Be the Match registry, also taking place at the Well Pig Sooie Blood Drive.

Thousands of patients with blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, sickle cell anemia or other life-threatening diseases depend on the Be the Match Registry to find a match to save their life. The registry is easy to join and requires just a cheek swab!

Participants must be between the ages of 18 to 44. This is based on medical research that shows younger donors are best for patients and provide the greatest chance for transplant success. Because of this, doctors request donors in the 18 to 44 age group more than 95% of the time.

For more information about donating blood, go to www.cbco.org or health.uark.edu.