Every campus has been plagued semester after semester with blood drives sponsored by the American Red Cross. Some students have been convinced by friends to take the plunge to open blood vessels to aid some unfortunate soul in need of a transfusion.

Today, the New York Times reports that the Red Cross Blood Services are in shambles, owing up to $21 million dollars in fines for the improper screening of blood. Admittedly, it was hard for me to take the article seriously when the Times quoted a director at the Office of Compliance and Biologics Quality named Ms. Mary A. Malarkey, but the problem is quite serious.

With all this talk of contaminated blood, what is the fate of blood from college campuses?

Students have suffered through the donation process, and they want to be assured that the blood is safe. There have been cases of students passing out after donation, some didn't even get to donate because their blood was too low in iron (a campus malnourishment situation) or the sight of a needle sent them out for the count. Either way, students care about their contribution to the blood bank.

The American Red Cross has the largest blood bank in the world, thus they have a global responsibility to keep the quality at a high grade.

For shame Red Cross, get your act together or we may have to rally to get our blood back.

Pay the fees, and stop keeping problematic blood in your freezers. People waiting for transfusions rely on you, and you need to step up to the plate.