Campus Red Cross club begins this year's WMU-CMU challenge

KALAMAZOO—Western Michigan University and its supporters are competing with Central Michigan University this week to see which school can make the biggest addition to the American Red Cross blood supply, which frequently comes within days of being depleted.

The week-long WMU-CMU blood challenge began Monday, Oct. 8, and continues through Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Every donation of blood can save as many as three lives, so eight individual blood drives have been scheduled around campus to give people multiple opportunities to donate. In addition, donors may make appointments online to give blood at any of those drives.

The remaining individual drives scheduled in this year's challenge will be held:

• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Henry Hall
• Wednesday, Oct. 10, 10:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Building (Parkview Campus)
• Thursday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Health and Human Services Building (Oakland Drive Campus)
• Friday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Student Recreation Center
• Monday, Oct. 15, 1 to 7 p.m., Bernhard Center
• Tuesday, Oct. 16, 1 to 7 p.m., Schneider Hall
• Wednesday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Miller Auditorium

About the 2012 fall challenge

Percentage goals have been set for each participating university. 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 total of six times and tied once. It lost in 2011 despite collecting more pints of blood because CMU had a lower goal.

About donating

All of the individual blood drives are run by certified Red Cross staff and supported by student organizations. The blood drives are open to the public, and donors can register by appointment at redcrossblood.org or on-site at their convenience.

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 visit redcrossblood.org or call (877) 835-5736.

For more information about the WMU-CMU challenge, visit the Greater Kalamazoo Red Cross at greaterkzooredcross.org.