USU and U of U Compete to See Who Can Bleed More

By Ashley Christine Chandler Published: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 in the Utah Statesman

 

Buddy the Blood Drop asks students to bleed blue during the first week of school by donating blood for Aggie pride.

 

"It's a wonderful Aggie tradition, something that gives back to our local and national community," [said] Kari Mecham, associate director of student involvement and leadership.

 

The Val R. Christiansen Service Center, teamed with the American Red Cross, is working hard to encourage Utah State University students to donate blood for the Blood Battle.

 

The Blood Battle is a contest between the University of Utah and USU to collect the most donated blood on campus. This concept started with the competitive drive at the football games. The U of U uses a different blood donation service than the American Red Cross, so the battle is not only between universities, but also donation services.

 

The USU Service Center started the battle four years ago and a trophy is awarded at the annual football game between the two schools. The U of U won the trophy the first year, but since then the award has rested safely with USU. Those involved are hoping to keep the trophy in Aggie hands and are raffling prizes off for those who donate. Volunteers and donors are needed all week to fulfill USU's goal. Single individuals, Connections groups, clubs and organizations are responding to the call for help. Some volunteers don the Buddy the Blood Drop suit to inspire students for service.

 

"We are in need of volunteers - even for just a half hour," said Valerie Stringham, receptionist in the service center.

 

USU won the battle last year with 731 units of blood - only 13 units more than U of U raised. This year, American Red Cross' goal is 750 units, but the service center set a goal of 800 units.

 

To ensure the goal is reached, it is "hopeful that 200 people show up to donate every day this week," said Stringham. "Over 100 people came to donate before the half-way mark of the day on Monday."

 

Rob Fox, the donor recruitment representative with the American Red Cross, is very enthusiastic about the project. Based on the numbers they saw on Monday, he is confident that we may exceed our goal.

 

"I would like to praise the students," said Fox. "They've been fantastic putting this together. If we make our goal it will be because of the USU students that are involved. They are some of the best donors we have - willing to give and willing to help out."

 

The American Red Cross invited the National Marrow Donor Program this year to join them on campus. They will not affect the Blood Battle, but are helping to make students aware of the other saving aspects of donating.

 

By informing students about the program, the idea is to collect small samples of blood (tissue typed) and put them on a national registry where those in need can look to find their closest match. When a match is found, only a one-day hospital stay and a 45-minute surgery take place. The procedure has no bone drilling involved and volunteers said there are only a few needles and it is not very painful.

 

Service center representatives are hoping that this week's events will encourage students to get involved. They can also provide you with information on service programs on campus and in the community. You can contact the service center by calling their office at 797-SERV.

 

-ashleywach@cc.usu.edu