True to its commitment to Saint Lucia, and in observation of World Blood Donor Day, International American University (IAU), in association with the St. Jude and Victoria hospitals’ blood bank services will host a mega blood donation drive this week.

Countries around the world will celebrate World Blood Donor Day on June 14, under the slogan “What can you do? —Give blood. Give now. Give often.”

The campaign focuses on blood donation in emergencies, and is designed to raise awareness about the need for safe blood donations. It also seeks to motivate regular blood donors to continue giving blood, as well as to encourage increased community involvement.

IAU has been hosting blood drives in observance of World Blood Donor Day for the past nine years. In 2013, a total of 63 units of blood were donated to the St. Jude and Victoria hospitals. This year, the university would like to match and hopefully surpass that number.

The blood drive is open to the public. The event will begin 9:30 a.m., at the IAU campus in Vieux Fort.

IAU hopes to inspire the community to give back and help save lives.