Penn State students will have a new way to show their support for the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon this year -- and it won't be by just scooting around on the floor of Rec Hall.

The American Red Cross and the Penn State Student Red Cross Club hope to channel some students' spirit of giving starting Feb. 22, during the 2003 Red Cross-Thon Bone Marrow Program. "We're especially seeking out members of the [minority] ethnic community that would like to join," said Wendi Keeler, Penn State Red Cross field representative.

The reason for the targeted search is the extreme national shortage of minority donors. This group includes Asians, Hispanics, blacks and Native Americans, she said. Caucasians, however, will not be turned down, she said. The search for potential bone marrow donors is different and more complex than finding blood donors, Keeler said.

The two-day event preceding Dance Marathon will give people a chance to join the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry by taking a small blood test. Once entered into the registry, individuals have the potential to become a bone marrow donor and help save the lives of people with leukemia and other life-threatening diseases, Keeler said. Siblings are often compatible donors, but 70 percent of patients do not find a suitable match within their own families. Someone from the same racial or ethnic background is the second most-likely match, she said.

"The Penn State population gets very motivated, especially for causes like Thon," said Jennifer Bertheaud (senior-advertising and public relations), chair of the ad campaign to recruit potential donors. "But they have to remember not to take this process lightly." Potential donors are encouraged to pre-register by contacting the Red Cross, she said. The event is co-sponsored by the Asian American Christian Fellowship. The group plans to volunteer at the drive and help recruit potential minority donors by talking with various student organizations, said Grace Chiou (senior-advertising), who is in charge of organizing recruitment. There will be a $2 donation made to the Four Diamonds Fund for each unit of blood collected on campus until Thon weekend. Each donor will receive a T-shirt and pin, and those involved with Thon will receive five spirit points, said Keeler.

Students are encouraged to attend an informational meeting tonight at 7 in 112 Chambers Building.