The University Ballroom was filled last Thursday with volunteers and donors, both eager to beat the University of Missouri and set a new world record for the biggest blood drive ever.

Friday morning they had to be content with collecting 2,309 pints of blood and participating in the second largest blood drive of all time.”We need to see the numbers pick up. We don?t want to have a blood shortage in this area,” said Leslie Botos, director of Public Relations and Development for Sacramento Medical Foundation Blood Centers.

At 7:30 p.m., the blood drive was over 13 hours old. The second shift of volunteers had already taken over and the drive had collected 1,411 pints, less than half of the record 3,155 pints. However, Botos remained optimistic about reaching the goal.

“We need to kick it up a notch. There are a lot of first-time donors here, but we need to make sure the people who signed up for later spots show up,” Botos said.

One first-time donor was Samuel Peppetta, an electrical engineering major in his junior year. Peppetta said he heard about the blood drive around campus and noticed the flyers and signs as he walked from class to class.

“I want to help break the record and donate. I have no reservations. I know someday I may need blood and I don?t want someone to say ?you never donated??” Peppetta said.

The ballroom was packed with registration tables, beds and three large projection screens that were broadcasting television shows. There were strip-and-seal and boxing sections where the blood was packaged and catalogued before heading back to the blood center, a tote board showing the latest count and a DJ booth where KSFM 102.5 was set up.

There were even clowns.

Extra registration tables occupied Hinde Auditorium and Associated Students, Inc. had commandeered the Lobby Suite.

The dining room behind the ballroom offered soda, juice, chips, Krispy Kreme doughnuts and tables to rest at while enjoying the refreshments.

The entire operation seemed like a form of controlled chaos with volunteers buzzing around, leading donors from station to station. Sara Mills, a yearly donor and social science major in her senior year was impressed with the efficiency of the drive.

“I?ve been to a lot of these things and this one is way quicker and more organized. I don?t even go to school tonight, I just came from home,” Mills said.

ASI Community Events Coordinator Tricia Randall was disappointed about not breaking the record, but kept things in perspective.

“We were a little short but we had a great time and possibly saved a lot of lives. It was a hopping place until 2:30 in the morning. It slowed down and didn?t really pick up again, although we had a lot of people from the community come in on their way to work,” Randall said.

Although the blood drive was by most counts a success, and about 1,000 more pints of blood were collected than last year, another drive is currently in question.

“At this point I?m not sure. A lot of money, time, and effort go into it. It takes about a year to plan one of these,” Randall said. “I know ASI would love to be part of such an event in the future, but it depends on all parties involved.”