S mmer Wki One hundred nine years offeditorial freedom w londay, July 31, 2000 iww.michigandaily.com "lip ", R111100 $! Blood shortage threatens region By Natalie Plosky Daily Staff Reporter The Southeastern Michigan Blood Service Region of the American Red *oss announced that area blood sup- ply was at dangerously low levels on June 26. But the shortage is actually a nationwide concern, as virtually all of the Red Cross' 36 Blood Services regions have reported critically low blood supplies. Greg Vasse, American Red Cross CEO for southeastern Michigan. described the severity of the blood ortage in the area as dangerously 0ow. ;We have more demand than blood on the shelf, with no sign of relief," Vasse said in a press release. "Without a community-wide response to increase our local blood supply, some hospitals may have to cancel elective surgeries. The need for 0-type and B- type in particular is urgent." The shortage is due, in part, to news that imports of blood from other blood regions would not be sent to the area. Southeastern Michigan typically imports about 30 percent of the daily supply of blood required to meet the needs of patients in Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, and Washtenaw Counties from other blood regions around the country. But, low collec- tions nationwide have diminished imports to southeastern Michigan. Compounding the problem is the fact that summer is a typically difficult time of the year for collecting blood. Stephen Shiner, volunteer coordina- tor for the 'Washtenaw County Red Cross, explained some of the reasons for this summertime problem. "Everybody is going on summer vacation and people are outside of their homes more often," Shiner said. "School is out for area colleges, uni- versities and high schools, where See BLOOD, Page 7 UGA loses lawsuit battle By Josetyn Gingrich Daily News Editor The fight for affirmative action at the University of Georgia took a step backward last Monday, as U.S. District Judge Avant Edenfield of Savannah ruled that race could no longer be a fac- tor in admissions. Edenfield ruled that three white women who were denied admission to the University of Georgia in 1999 should be offered admission for the Fall 2000 semester. "We're disappointed, but we respect the opinion of the court, University of Georgia spokesperson Matthew Winston said. "We have a long way to go." Under the current policy, UGA admits the majority of applicants based solely on GPA and test scores. Only the last 10 to 15 percent of applicants are subjected to a 12 factor index which includes race. "(Admissions policies) wouldn't have . to be changed drastically," Winston said. "Race is only one com- ponent out of many." UGA officials have not decided if they will appeal the decision. "At this point, we can't say," Winston said. "We're still in consultation." In a press release, UGA President Michael F. Adams said "This is yet another step in what promises to be a long process. We respect the Court and we want UGA admissions to comply with federal law." "We also want to be as aggressive as possible within the law in attracting people of all races and backgrounds to the University of Georgia," he added. The effects of the ruling will likely reverberate in the national debate over affirmative action in admissions. But here in Ann Arbor, Liz Barry, associate See UGA, Page 7 Karen Stearnes, a registered nurse, prepares Kenya Beckmann, a development officer for the University libraries, to donate blood. cancer survivors speak at symposium By Lisa Hoffman For the Daily On Saturday, 788 people joined together at the Power Center to celebrate life and remember their fight with breast cancer. The Comprehensive Cancer Center's Betty Ford Breast Cancer Symposium for Patients, titled "Complementary and Conventional Options for Today and Tomorrow", featured doctors and experts on state-of-the-art treat- ments, nutrition and the healing power of medi- tation. The symposium, named after former First Lady Betty Ford. a breast cancer survivor, host- ed keynote speakers Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker. Eikenberry and Tucker are former "L.A. Law" co-stars, a married couple and Eikenberry is a breast cancer survivor. Upon her diagnosis, Eikenberry kept her can- cer a secret from everyone except closest friends and family, and went in for radiation therapy fol- lowing taping for "L.A. Law" during the first years of the series. When a co-star noticed the blue radiation marks on her chest, Eikenberry knew she had to announce her condition to the public. She made a prime-time documentary on NBC with other breast cancer survivors including Betty Ford. Ford remarked, "Maybe if I, as First Lady, could talk about it candidly and without embarrassment, many other people would be able to as well." Since then, Eikenberry and Tucker have been telling their inspirational story across the coun- try. They speak specifically of the importance of not being alone. Eikenberry advised audience members to, "listen to the more authentic voice in your head and let go of the fear. Battling the cancer along with the fame acted as a catalyst to look deeper into our relationship." Following "L.A. Law," they took classes on communication and sexuality, and realized how little they knew of each other. "Most important, we learned how to listen to each other, and I learned how to shut up. l never put my opinion first. My job is to make Jill tell See BETTY FORD, Page 7 'LA. Law" co-stars Jill Elkenberry and Michael Tucker speak at he Power Center on Saturday for the Breast Cancer Symposium. I Power to the people Worldwide Groove 0)e power on Mackinac Island will be back up today Bumpus rocks the funk in Internet after a week of outages. music festival. NFW : ' Patae 3 All'. Pate 10 We are the champions 'U' football team picked to win Big 10 title this year. SPORTS, Page 13 1