WMU looks to collect 200 pints of blood during annual challenge

Contact: Deanne Puca
A blue backdrop contains letters representing different blood types. Over the backdrop is an outstretched palm catching a red drop that reads: Donate.

Donate blood at the Student Recreation Center Thursday, March 22.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University students have set from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the Student Recreation Center's indoor tennis courts for the Bronco Blood Bash, a friendly competition with Central Michigan University to see which school can collect the most pints of blood. The CMU portion of the challenge will run March 21-23.

All members of the University and Greater Kalamazoo communities are invited to participate.

For this year's friendly CMU vs. WMU challenge, both universities are hoping to collect at least 200 pints of blood.

Everyone who shows up to donate blood March 22 will receive a free hero T-shirt. Walk-ins are welcome; however, making an appointment will result in faster processing. To make an appointment, go to the American Red Cross website at redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code WMU, download and use the Blood Donor App, or call (800) 733-2767.

For the fastest experience possible, those planning to donate should complete a RapidPass as well as schedule a donation appointment. RapidPass, explained at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass, allows donors to complete necessary paperwork at home and save about 15 minutes during the donation process.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.