Hurricane Gloria forced the Red Cross to shut down its blood drive at Memorial Hall last Friday, but organizers successfully collected 79 pints of blood on Saturday and plan to return October 11.

Just like last year, this year's blood drive will feature a competition between Yale and defending champion Harvard to see which school donates more blood. Blood drive dates are December 5-7 and 9-13, February 13 and 14, and April 16-19 and 22-25.

Although demand for blood in the Northeast has dropped from last week's crisis levels, Marie Cloutier Dislo '83 of the local Red Cross said that demand remains high. "Too many people are still afraid that you can get AIDS from donating blood, which is absurd," Dislo said.

Students last spring formed a new official College organization, the Harvard/Radcliffe Blood Program, to help organize this year's blood drives. The group will hold an organizational meeting October 10 at 8 p.m. in Boylston Auditorium.

Last Saturday, the Red Cross had to defer 35 would-be donors who didn't meet requirements. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health, and those who are 17 must have parental permission to donate blood. Forms are available at the Freshman Dean's Office.