Students will have the opportunity to help save lives next week by rolling up their sleeves and donating blood.

The Greek Week Central Committee is putting on a blood drive in conjunction with several other activities leading up to Greek Week.

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Up Your Sleeve” will be Monday through Friday next week in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

“Anyone is encouraged to show up and donate,” said Chad Whitman, blood drive co-director. The drive will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Thursday and Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Six different blood centers and banks throughout Iowa will be taking part in the drive.

Christine Hayes, public relations manager of the Blood Center of Central Iowa, said a regular donation should take from about 45 minutes to an hour.

“It is one truly easy thing to do,” Hayes said. “I think that people don’t realize the amount of blood that is needed.”

Hayes said it is important for people to donate blood, because a lot of people count on the donations.

“Over 32,000 Americans need blood every day and it all comes from volunteer donors,” Hayes said. “We rely on the good help of other people to save lives.”

Whitman said his committee is expecting 1,850 donors and volunteers to come to the registration desk and about 1,600 actual donations. There were about 1,500 donations at last spring’s blood drive, he said.

“Every one unit can save up to three lives,” said Whitman, junior in chemistry. “Saving lives should inspire someone just to help.”

Whitman said he is looking forward to giving people an easy opportunity to help others.

“We do a lot of work, but it is a fun thing to do,” Whitman said.

The drive is run strictly on a walk-up basis, with registration outside the Great Hall, Whitman said. Nurses will be available to field questions or concerns.

All donors will receive free snacks and juice, donated by several Ames businesses and organizations, Whitman said.

“It is one of the greatest things you can do to save lives,” Whitman said.