University of West Georgia

The University of West Georgia’s Department of Psychology and the Shepeard Community Blood Center are teaming up for a blood drive in honor of Aimee Copeland.

Copeland is the UWG graduate student who contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection, after she fell into the Little Tallapoosa River on May 1. Copeland is undergoing treatment at the JMS Burn Center in Augusta, Ga.

The blood drive will be in the Campus Center at UWG on Tuesday, May 15, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Donors are asked to bring their donor blood cards or picture ID.

Additionally Shepeard advises that all donors be at least 17 years old. If donors are16 years old, they must have written parental consent. Consent forms will be available. All donors must be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. These are FDA requirements to ensure the safety of the donor.

The tips below will prepare donors to give blood:

• Get a good night's rest.
• Eat a healthy meal before donating.
• Drink plenty of fluids before and after your donation.
• Eat iron rich foods like red meat, fish or poultry.
• Wear clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow.
• Relax.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity for a few hours after your donation.

Visitors to the UWG campus are asked to park in the lot behind the campus bookstore. Go across the street to the Campus Center and follow the signs to the blood drive. For a map of the campus, go to: http://www.westga.edu/index_map.php.