Blood Drive

The blood drive that ended yesterday was the most successful in recent years, Gail E. Gabler '81, director of the undergraduate drive, said yesterday.

The percentage of pre-registered students who actually donated increased almost 30 per cent from last fall's drive, Gabler said.

She added that 1735 undergraduates donated blood, with 69 per cent of those who signed up showing up at Memorial Hall, the site of the annual event.

About 1000 students participated in last fall's drive, she added.

"We're very pleased with the results," Gabler said, adding that the recruiting efforts of volunteers in the Freshman Union and the Houses spurred the increase in student involvement. More than 500 people signed up to donate at the Union, she said.

Gabler said that although students have not compiled the results- of a donor questionnaire, she has noticed that many participants cited the encouragement of friends as incentive for giving blood.

The Cambridge Red Cross supplied technical staff and equipment for the drive.