University Health Services (UHS) is planning a University-wide blood drive in coordination with the American Red Cross in response to yesterday’s events. Initial plans are for buses to take donors to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital and other donation sites during the next several days.

Buses will pick people up from Cambridge and the Business School. Times and locations are still to be determined.

The blood drive is an alternative to what many have been hoping to do--give blood independently at the Red Cross or at hospitals. Indeed, interest in giving blood has been so overwhelming that the Red Cross has asked potential donors to wait until Friday to give blood.

“We’ve been inundated with people, it’s been generously overwhelming,” said Red Cross spokesperson Mary Thang. “[Interest has] been so terrific that we have to ask the public to be patient with us.” Thang estimated that the number of calls made by yesterday afternoon to the Massachusetts Bay chapter of the American Red Cross was in the “upper three digits.”

She asked those who want to give blood to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE after Thursday.

Interest in donating blood at MGH and Brigham and Women’s Hospital was also high, spokespersons said. MGH extended its donations hours to 7 p.m. yesterday as well as today. Donors are asked to call (617) 726-8177 to make an appointment before coming in.

Brigham and Women’s, which opened a second blood donation room to keep up with interest, extended its hours on Tuesday and plans on extending its hours at least through today until 8 p.m.

The Red Cross is also holding a blood drive at MIT. Hours today are from noon to 6 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Appointments are no longer being accepted, so expect a wait for walk-in donations.