GEORGIA TECH AND SWAINSBORO TECH WIN RED CROSS BLOOD SERVICES COMPETITION TO SAVE LIVES (Friday, May 13, 2005) ATLANTA - The American Red Cross recently announced the winners in their region-wide college campaign to save lives through blood and platelet donation. The competition was held from September 1, 2004 through April 10, 2005. Swainsboro Technical College, located in Swainsboro, Georgia, won for the school with the highest percentage of participation among students and faculty. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), located in Atlanta, Georgia, won for the school with the highest number of philanthropic points, based on one point for every whole blood donation and two points awarded for every platelet donation. For colleges and universities to be eligible for the competition, they had to agree to hold a minimum of three blood drives throughout the year. Winning schools will receive a ParrotHead Party at the end of the school year. The party will include a free concert by a Jimmy Buffet cover band and free food provided by local vendors. All participants received a ParrotHead Party T-shirt. “The blood drives have meant a lot to me,” said Ronda Eskew, blood drive coordinator and practical nursing instructor for Swainsboro Technical College. “I have lost a couple of family members to leukemia, so giving blood is very important to me. The success that our school has had with our drives has been achieved by the practical nursing students who have worked so hard to get other students, faculty, staff, and community members to sign up to give blood.” “Winning the Blood Services competition is a great honor for the Georgia Tech community,” said Mark Edwards, Interfraternity Council President, Georgia Tech. “It really shows the philanthropic drive that characterizes Tech’s campus. Many people and organizations from Tech’s campus have worked together over the years to make philanthropy events like these successful,” added Edwards. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Red Cross.” Most healthy people age 17 or older, who weigh at least 110 pounds, can donate blood every 56 days or platelets every two weeks, up to 24 times each year. The American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region needs approximately 1,200 people to donate blood each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients. If every eligible donor gave blood at least twice each year, there would never be seasonal shortages. To make an appointment or to get your college involved in donating blood and platelets, please visit the Red Cross online at www.givebloodredcross.org.