April 22, 1998 Contact: Jamie L. Reeves 615-322-2706 jamie.l.reeves@vanderbilt.edu

Blood drive in honor of Vanderbilt student attracts large turnout

Also see; - Latest update - - A letter from the Chancellor - - Photos of the aftermath -

By Jamie Lawson Reeves More than 200 people gave blood at a special American Red Cross drive on the Vanderbilt campus Wednesday. The drive was organized by friends and family of tornado victim and Vanderbilt senior Kevin Longinotti in honor of Longinotti and to replenish the blood supply. Steve Ferren, supervisor of Donor Resources Development for the American Red Cross Tennessee Valley Region, said initially they were anticipating 120 donors. Because of the large turnout, several people who came to the drive decided to give at the Red Cross headquarters, located on Charlotte Avenue in West Nashville. Others made appointments to give at the center in the next week as part of the special drive. A large paper banner reading "We love you Kevin" greeted donors as they entered the campus blood drive location in the Auxillary Gym of Memorial Gym. Donors were encouraged to sign the banner with personal messages to Longinotti and his family, who stopped by the drive throughout the day to talk to friends and donors. Longinotti was injured during the April 16 tornado by a falling tree at Centennial Park near campus. He remains in critical but stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. More than 200 pints of blood are expected to be donated as a result of the drive. "We're very happy with the turnout," said Vanderbilt senior John Phillips, one of the organizers of the event and a friend of Longinotti's.

Deborah Slepicka, mother of Kevin Longinotti, talks with John Phillips and Christine Pirozzi, two of the students who helped organize the blood drive. Vanderbilt sophomore Suzanne Puccerella gives blood while Red Cross worker June Douglass checks the progress. Vanderbilts gym was standing room only throughout the blood drive.

-VU-

Vanderbilt University is a private research university of approximately 5,900 undergraduates and 4,300 graduate and professional students. Founded in 1873, the University comprises 10 schools, a public policy institute, a distinguished medical center and The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center. Vanderbilt offers undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and sciences, education and human development, engineering and music, and a full range of graduate and professional degrees.

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