The Simon Recreation Center played host to a Saint Louis University Hospital blood drive Wednesday, Oct. 10. From 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., more than 75 members of the University community came to support the blood drive, sponsored by the Student Government Association, Alpha Phi Omega and the Muslim Student Association.

“This is an overwhelming response,” said Peggy Baker, SLU Hospital medical technician.

“We’ve never seen this many people give blood on the Frost Campus before,” Baker continued. In the past, Baker said the hospital staff was lucky to see 30 donors. “This is wonderful.”

There is an increase in blood donors at the hospital as well. In September, the hospital received 350 donations. The average for a month, according to Baker, is only 100. In the four days after Sept. 11 alone, the hospital received 217 donations.

“We’re hoping that all these people continue to donate,” Baker said. “If we had this many donations year-round, we would never have a blood shortage.”

When SLU Hospital, as well as other area hospitals, are short on blood they have to buy it from the American Red Cross.

The blood drive was held in response to the acts of terrorism on Sept. 11, according to Mike Cappel, president of the SGA. “We decided to do it on the 11th, and this was the first day that was available.”

The three organizations were chosen to hold the event together. “We wanted to include the MSA because of stupid stereotypes that might exist,” Cappel said. APO was chosen as the leading student service organization and SGA wanted to help as well.

“We wanted to do something as soon as Sept. 11 happened,” Cappel said. “But it’s still important to give blood weeks later since hospitals are always in need of it.”

The event only had four people donating at one time, creating a wait of up to two hours.

Students filled the long wait with casual conversation and studying for classes. At one time, more than 25 students were waiting in line for the opportunity to donate blood. In the final hour of the event, workers simply had to turn students away.

Owaise Mansuri, a member of MSA, was working the registration table. “It’s really important to our organization to help out with this cause,” he said. “We’re hoping to hold another blood drive soon, since a lot of these people won’t get to donate, due to the time.”

Brigid Ryan, a member of APO, was also working at the blood drive. “It’s surprising that so many people would actually come and donate blood,” she said.

Melissa Schumacher, a junior, is a member of APO who came to give blood. “I’ve always given blood through the Red Cross,” she said. “They always need blood.”

In the end, 52 people were able to donate, but more than 75 people showed up. “It was a great success,” Cappel said. “I’m glad that all of the students came out to support it.”