TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies, Alabama Arise and Life South have teamed together to sponsor a four-day, campus wide blood drive challenge to collect blood for Alabama hospitals.

The blood drive will begin on Monday, April 16 with homemade refreshments being provided for students, faculty and staff by the UA School of Library and Information Studies. The challenge will continue on April 17, 23 and 24.

All schools, departments and organizations are being challenged to win the traveling trophy, awarded to the group with the most donors.

The blood drive will take place in front of Morgan Hall and will be held each day from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The summer months are very critical for blood donations. During these months, high school and college students -- the vast majority of blood donors -- are not in school. However, the need for blood continues to rise. All blood collected by the Birmingham branch of Life South community blood center stays in the area. Life South provides blood to over 18 major Alabama hospitals, including DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa.

This event is the first of its kind and plans are being made to sponsor the competition annually.

For more information, contact Beth Riggs in the UA School of Library and Information Studies, 205/348-1527.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.