Forgetfulness and an increase of accidents bleed donor centers dry, making the summer months harder than any other time of the year to keep blood units in stock.

The promoters of the first-annual campus summer blood drive realize this. On Wednesday, less than one day into the drive, organizers were already saying they probably wouldn’t meet their goals.

However, people still have the opportunity to donate today in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

“We set a lofty goal,” said Laura Hannam, group coordinator for the Blood Center of Central Iowa. “We’re hoping for about 200 [units] for two days.”

Hannam said the center needs to collect 5,000 units of blood per month. Due to summertime vacations, regular donors often get off their schedules for giving blood.

Unfortunately, summer is the time centers really need donors. Gretchen Zitterich, registered nurse at Mary Greeley, said it’s crucial to have blood centers at peak levels now.

“We try to gear up for the Fourth of July and Labor Day,” she said. “There’s a potential for more trauma and car accidents.”

Zitterich said the summer blood drive’s atmosphere is much more relaxed than those the university has in the fall and spring.

The summer drive has only six beds and 20 staff members from either the Blood Center of Central Iowa of Des Moines or Mary Greeley Medical Center.

“I think you could really be out of here in 30 to 40 minutes,” she said. “It’s a good experience. Everyone fears the first time doing something, but you should try it anyway.”

Ben Malin, an ISU graduate, had donated blood 10 times before his Wednesday visit to the Great Hall.

“It’s a way to help out others,” Malin said. “It doesn’t take much time, and people need it.”

The Blood Center of Central Iowa and Mary Greeley Medical Center are still accepting donations today at the Great Hall in the Memorial Union from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.