After besting Ohio State University in the annual fall Blood Battle to see which institution could donate more blood, the University of Michigan is now bringing that competitive spirit to bear against its in-state rival, Michigan State University.
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- Follow on Twitter at @BloodBattleUofM using the hashtags #BleedMaizeandBlue and #BloodBattle2021
The annual winter Blood Battle runs through Feb. 28, and all faculty, staff and students are asked to consider donating, whether they are a regular donor or have never given blood before.
The fall contest saw U-M donate 1,396 pints of blood to Ohio State’s 884. Appointments to donate in the winter Blood Battle can be made at bloodbattle.org, or at redcrossblood.org using the sponsor code “goblue.”
Due to COVID-19, appointments are highly recommended, and walk-ins will only be permitted as space permits. New COVID-related safety policies have been put in place and a list can be found at bloodbattle.org/covid.
All presenting donors will receive a Blood Battle T-shirt and coupon for Washtenaw Dairy while supplies last. Donors also will be entered into a raffle for gift cards to local businesses and other prizes.
The American Red Cross asks donors to use Rapid Pass, which allows donors to complete their donation quicker by completing some steps before arriving at the blood drive. Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information.
In a recent email to the campus community, Martino Harmon, vice president for student life, highlighted the American Red Cross’s website for LGBTQ+ Donors, specifically the recognition of harm caused by historical and ongoing donation eligibility policies.
“Blood donation eligibility should not be determined based on sexual orientation and policy change is needed in order to achieve this goal. At the University of Michigan, we strive for our drives to provide as inclusive an atmosphere as possible,” he said.
To learn more about blood donation requirements, visit bloodbattle.org/eligibility. Also, new COVID-19 safety precautions have been put in place. A more expansive list of COVID-19 related policies is at bloodbattle.com/covid.
Donors are advised to eat iron-rich foods and drink plenty of water before they donate blood.
Remaining campus blood drives are:
- Feb. 9 — 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Michigan Union — Ballroom
- Feb. 9 — 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Pierpont Commons — East Room
- Feb. 10 — noon-6 p.m., Michigan Union — Ballroom
- Feb. 10 — 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., KMS 700 Building — Conference Room
- Feb. 11 — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., American Red Cross Ann Arbor Center — Red Cross Donor Room
- Feb. 11 — 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Michigan Union — Ballroom
- Feb. 12 — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., New Life Church — Lobby (Sponsor Code: newlifea2)
- Feb. 16 — 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., U-M Hospital — Towsley Dining Room*
- Feb. 17 — 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., U-M Hospital — Towsley Dining Room*
- Feb. 24 — 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Arbor Lakes — Dome Area
- Feb. 26 — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., University Lutheran Chapel — Chapel Room
- Feb. 28 — 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Kensington Hotel — Grand Ballroom
* U-M Hospital blood drives are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions. Michigan Medicine employees or medical students with Mcards may donate at these blood drives.
