You could say the blood and bone marrow drive organized by the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon was a success.
'We saved someone's life,' said Jessie Hanna, the fraternity's president and Livingston College junior.
But the brothers were met with a roadblock this year.
Unlike last year, when the federal government funded the testing of all people, this year the test cost $65 for non-minorities.
According to the Blood Bank of Alaska, there's a great need to diversify the donors, and a much greater need for the bone marrow of minorities.
Therefore, the government pays for the testing of minorities, while counting on volunteer fund raising to support drives for whites.
The brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon did their part last evening by sponsoring a dinner for parents, alumni and school officials in an effort to raise money to continue the success of last year's blood drive.
"We had a wonderful day, it was a worthy cause," donor Diane Little said of the dinner.
"I think it's awesome that the boys got together to do this, the food was great, everything was really nice," Little said. "The boys put a lot of hard work into this. It would be great if they could get the word out so more people could give."
Last evening alone, the brothers raised $1,780 for the cause.
Fraternity organizes fund drive - The Daily Targum - University(subscr. reqd.)
