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WMU, CMU to compete in fall blood drive challenge

by Jeanne Baron

Oct. 3, 2011 | WMU News

WMU-CMU American Red Cross Blood Challenge artwork.
KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University and its friends and supporters in the Kalamazoo area will be competing with Central Michigan University next month to see which school can collect the most blood for local people in need and the American Red Cross.

The nearly two-week-long WMU-CMU American Red Cross Blood Challenge begins Monday, Oct. 10, and will run through Friday, Oct. 21. The 2011 goal for this annual fall competition is for the two schools to collect a combined total of 900 pints of blood.

Percentage goals have been set for each university--the equivalent of 500 pints for WMU and 400 for CMU. Whichever school surpasses its goal by the most pints will win the challenge. Since the friendly contest began in 1997, WMU has won a total of six times and tied once. Last year, WMU lost for the first time in five consecutive years.

Ten individual blood drives have been scheduled around campus during the 2011 challenge. Donors may make appointments online to give blood at any of these drives. Those who do not have a WMU parking sticker are asked to park at a meter, pay the 25 cents to park for 10 minutes and then during check-in, request a parking permit that they should post in their vehicle.

This year's scheduled drives are:

Those who donate blood during this year's competition will be entered in a drawing to win prizes. Donors do not have to be present to win.

Just 5 percent of the eligible U.S. population donates blood in any given year. Yet someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds, and it only takes 10 minutes to actually donate blood and an hour to finish the entire donation process.

People who are at least 17 years old, 110 pounds and in good general health are usually eligible to donate blood. Those seeking detailed eligibility requirements may call (877) 835-5736.

To make an online appointment to give blood at any of WMU's challenge drives, go to redcrossblood.org. To get results or reminders of the challenge, follow wmuvscmublood on Twitter or WMU vs. CMU blood challenge on Facebook.

For more information about the WMU-CMU challenge, contact J.P. Lanning, blood donor recruitment representative for the Red Cross's Great Lakes region, at LanningJP@usa.redcross.org or (269) 270-8906. Send an email message to rccwmu@gmail.com to contact the WMU Red Cross Club.