More is at stake than bragging rights when Bowling Green State University competes against the rivals at the University of Toledo to become the third annual Blood Bowl Champions.
BGSU has been the reigning champion of the Blood Bowl for the past two years, and students will have a chance to defend that title as the blood drive kicks off today at 9 a.m. in the Union’s Multipurpose Room.
The American Red Cross is holding blood drives at UT and BGSU to determine which student body can donate more blood. The drive is a three-week long event that started at UT Oct. 26 and will come to an end at the University Nov. 12.
Judy Pearson, manager of communications for American Red Cross Blood Services in Toledo, said that the competition aspect of the blood drive adds an element of fun.
“We found that the community enjoyed competing,” she said. ” It makes the blood drive more fun and adds the flavor of competition to a very important program, which is giving blood.”
Donor Recruitment representative Linda Hartman said that roughly 970 people need to donate to meet the goal of 600 pints that has been set for this blood bowl.
“The last two years we have had 640 pints,” she said. “Realistically, we can hit and go over that number.”
Both Pearson and Hartman stressed the fact that one blood donation can save up to three lives, and that there is always a need for blood.
One common misconception among people is that once blood is donated it lasts a long time.
The red cells in the blood last about 42 days while the platelets last only five days, Pearson said.
“There is no such thing as artificial blood,” she said. “It is not a commodity like flour or sugar that you can buy off the shelf.”
The American Red Cross Blood Services of Toledo serves 23 hospitals in 11 counties and strives to maintain the quota supply of 300 pints of blood for each day.
“All it takes is one or two bad days, and then we’ll be hurting for blood,” Pearson said.
The blood supply depends entirely on the willingness and generosity of people to donate.
“Maintaining the blood supply is fragile and difficult because it relies on volunteers to donate,” Pearson said.
The number of participants in the Blood Bowl at the University has remained steady from year to year, but Hartman has been trying to increase participation among students and faculty this year.
“The main thing is to beat UT for the third time,”
said.
A remarkable part of the experience is how many lives the blood really does save and that students do care, and they do come out and donate, Hartman said.
“If students donated in high school and if the word is out and although it is a competition against UT, the actuality is that your saving ,” she said.
The ability of the event to capture new donors, get someone to donate for the first time, or get someone to donate again is the most enjoyable part of the competition, Pearson said.
“Blood is truly a gift from one person to another,” she said.
Pearson encourages students to donate because there is a great staff to take care of donors and the donation process is simple.
“It’s easy to do and you know while your doing it that you’re saving lives,” she said. “You’ll be a Blood Bowl hero.”
The blood drive will run from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. today through Friday, and participants will receive a Blood Bowl T-shirt for their contribution.
The competition extends beyond the universities to the Red Cross Donor Center in Toledo where individuals can donate and then cast their vote for their favorite university.
The winner of the Blood Bowl will be announced and presented with a trophy at the Nov. 23 game between UT and BGSU.
