Battle draws blue blood from students
Hundreds of USU students have shown their dedication to the school by donating blood this week. The annual Blood Battle between USU and the University of Utah is almost over, and Aggies have literally been bleeding for the cause.
The annual drive began Monday and ends Friday as part of ASUSU’s Week of Welcome. Each year the two universities battle it out to see who can get the most blood donations at the end of one week, and this year’s ASUSU goal is 1,000 units of blood.
USU has won this six-year tradition every year so far. But this year, the U is trying a different strategy. At the start of the competition, the two universities made an agreement to both have their blood drives during the first week of school to even the playing field.
This year, however, the University of Utah is holding its blood drive the week of the USU vs. University of Utah football game.
ASUSU member and Service Center core council secretary, Julie Ung, explained that this year USU is in it to win it. “We’re shooting for 1,000,” Ung said. “I’m really confident.”
After three days, USU had succeeded in getting 613 donations, more than half its goal.
German Ellsworth, vice president of the Service Center, boasted about the drive’s great turnout so far.
“We’re breaking records,” he said.
On Tuesday alone, 239 units of blood were donated. Ellsworth said the success is not just because of the students.
“We’ve had a really positive response working so well with the Red Cross,” he said. “The Red Cross has really stepped it up. They’ve cancelled other drives to help. I can’t imagine it going any better.”
A raffle is also being held as an incentive to give blood. When students donate, they can enter to win an iPod nano, a guitar or gift certificates to places like Pita Pit and Firehouse Pizzeria along with many other prizes. ASUSU’s hope is that these new prizes will boost the number of volunteers and help beat the University of Utah again.
Friday is the last day to donate, and more blood is still needed to reach the 1,000-unit goal. For those who want to donate, it is advised that potential donors eat before they give blood and stay hydrated. The drive ends Friday in the Sunburst lounge at 3 p.m.