Nov. 14, 2005

Fairfax, Va. (November 14, 2005)--George Mason University participated in a campus-wide blood drive and succeeded their goal of 100 successful blood donations, collecting 111 units. Mason's Athletic Department sponsored the event as participation in the fourth annual CAA Blood Challenge and with the assistance of INOVA Blood Donor Services the blood drive was held on Wednesday, October 26, 2005.

Mason registered 176 attempted donors and 111 units of blood were collected as a result. A T-shirt and treats were given to all donors and three participants won an iPOD Nano in a drawing. The 111 units of blood is George Mason's highest amount in the four years of the program CAA initiative to help save lives!

"It was wonderful the way the George Mason students rallied behind the blood drive," said Linda Wilson from INOVA Services. "The 111 donations will help up to three patients each! Thank you."

The CAA Blood Challenge was developed in 2002 by the league presidents as a fun way to emphasize the critical importance of donating blood. Each institution promotes the event on campus and encourages student groups, faculty, staff and alumni to participate and support their school.

Special thanks goes to Mason's women's lacrosse and softball teams, who provided staffing for the event as well as blood donations. Also to Communications 330 Principles of Public Relations Professor Walsch's class, who were very involved in recruiting and publicizing the event; Hussein Ebied, Rola Ghannam, Holly Fusisi, Anya Turcheck and Jackie Fortus.