There is a shortage of blood in the United States and the Interfraternity Council and National Panhellenic Conference at Southeast Missouri State University have partnered with the American Red Cross to kick off their annual Greek Week festivities by hosting a blood drive on campus.

The American Red Cross blood drive is sponsored by the Greek Week steering committee and is the first of many events part of Greek Week, which will be held April 1 through 9.

Greek Week is a time for each chapter and its partners to come together and compete in multiple objectives to earn points that will later determine their overall score. The Greek chapters all plan to fulfill their duty of 100 percent participation in the blood drive, but they are also want the whole campus to participate.

"This event is a big deal because there is a nationwide shortage of blood," said Michelle Johnson, donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross. Greek Life is asking all students to participate and donate one pint of blood to save up to three lives. Hospitals in the area are short on blood and in fear of running out.

According to Johnson, the donation process is not difficult. For those who have a fear of needles, please note that the needle process only lasts five to 10 minutes.

"The discomfort you are feeling for that short period can help 1 in 6 people who have been experiencing discomfort for a lifetime," Johnson said.

The American Red Cross blood drive is to be held Feb. 19 and 20 in the University Center Ballroom A and Feb. 21 and 22 in the Student Recreation Center East Gym from noon through 7 p.m.

All donors must be in good health, free of antibiotics, have sufficient iron levels, weigh more than 110 pounds and be 18 years or older.

It is a necessity that each donor drinks plenty of water and eats well prior to donating.

Any private eligibility requirements can be found on the American Red Cross website at http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements.

Walk-ins are welcomed and student donors will be awarded a $5 Amazon gift card, donor T-shirt and a chance to be entered in a drawing for a surprise gift. At last year's blood drive, the drawing winner was awarded a new television.