The 2010 drive will take place on June 8 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Dean E. Smith Center. For over 20 years this remarkable one-day, single-site drive has brought together donors and volunteers from across campus and the community to help others on a grand scale.

As a Tar Heel, I feel an amazing sense of pride that Carolina is known as a leader in blood collection across the nation. Since its inception in 1989, more than 19,000 units of blood have been collected from more than 20,700 donors. It is truly an honor to be a part of this incredible effort.

I also feel a personal gratitude for blood donors. When my husband, Holden, was an undergraduate student here, he was hit by a car and could have lost his leg. If it hadn't been for the amazing folks at UNC Hospitals and, indeed, all the blood that they had to give him, he probably would have. So he and I will always be grateful for the teams of folks that brought him through that experience, including all the previous blood donors who anonymously saved him.

So many of us have personal stories like these, and we can all make a difference for those in need by participating together in this life-saving day of service. Please join us on June 8 at the Dean E. Smith Center. Visit www.unc.edu/blood to make an appointment to donate or volunteer. Walk in donors are also welcome, and much appreciated!

Our goal is to beat Appalachian's State 2010 record of 1,060 units, and reclaim our title as the leading drive in our region. I look forward to personally thanking our donors, and cheering them on, along with other special guests. Holden and I will join Chancellor Emeritus Paul Hardin and his wife Barbara. Butch and Tammy Davis, Eric and Laura Montross, Woody and Jean Durham, Greg and Carla Overbeck and our beloved mascot, Rameses will also visit the drive. There will be door prizes for donors and great food in the canteen from generous local vendors.

We invite you, your co-workers, neighbors, family and friends to attend the 22nd anniversary of the Carolina Blood Drive. With your help we can collect over 1,000 units of blood to help save lives and promote healing in hospitals across the Carolinas region. Please join us in this life-saving Tar Heel tradition.