The Red Cross will be collecting blood donations through Thursday, Jan. 28, in the Oakland Center.

Bridget Tuohey, communications manager for the Red Cross, said that downturn in economy has affected the donations they normally get from companies like the “Big Three” automakers.

They’ve turned to college students increasingly to pick up the slack and she says they’ve answered the call.

“I find that younger people are more philanthropically inclined, but they have no money,” Tuohey said. “This is a great way to help that doesn’t cost anything.”

Students planning to donate should know a few things beforehand.

Those with new tattoos must wait 12 months before donating, and those with piercings must have had them done by licensed piercers.

Tuohey also suggests that donors eat and drink plenty of water before going in to make the process go more smoothly.

“I think it’s one of the most selfless acts a person can do,” Tuohey said.

On Tuesday, students were scheduling times to come time and donate and the donation schedule was packed.

Brad Roemmick, a member of Theta Chi, said that his fraternity helps out at the blood drive every year. Remmick said this year the drive has seemed to be busier for longer this year.

Thomas Butler, a psychology major, said that he works in the CSA office coordinating the drive. He said he’s donated blood since sophomore year.

“Why not? It’s a great way to save lives,” Butler said.

Post-baccalaureate student Whitney Coulson said that she came to donate once she saw the sign out front.

Health sciences major Edward Thompson-Matthews said he wanted to get involved because he knows there’s a demand of Type O blood. Type O-negative blood can be donated to anyone, and O-positive can be donated to 84 percent of the population.

Donors can give blood up to six times a year, and according to the Red Cross, each donation helps three people.