The University of Tampa and Florida Blood Services will sponsor an on-campus
blood drive on Tuesday, Nov. 7, in front of the Sykes College of Business from 2
to 6 p.m. The blood drive is in honor of eighteen-year-old freshman Natasha
Sackett, who is struggling to survive after being struck by a vehicle while
riding a motor scooter on Oct. 29.
Sackett is currently in critical condition at a local hospital and remains in
a coma. Her extensive injuries have required her to receive enormous amounts of
blood and blood components from volunteer donors, and she will continue to need
more.
Prospective donors can also visit any Florida Blood Services Donor Center on
Tuesday between the hours of 8 a.m.-7 p.m. to donate blood in Sackett's honor
and sign a large card that will be given to her.
Generally, healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 lbs. can be
blood donors. Identification is required prior to donation. For more
information, please call 1-800-56-BLOOD (25663) or visit www.fbsblood.org.
Natasha Sackett's family has asked that there be no
calls, visitors, flower or gifts to their daughter at this time. Due to a large
number of request for updates on Sackett's health status, her family has created
a blog at http://tashblog.wordpress.com/.