Students asked to donate blood
This week, the only blood flowing between Utah State University and the University of Utah is the blood of good will.
The American Red Cross is accepting blood donations in the Sunburst Lounge of the Taggart Student Center Monday and Friday. The amount of donations USU receives will be compared to the amount of blood donated at the University of Utah.
Dan Phelps, director of the Val R. Christensen Service Center, organized this event as the annual service project during the Week of Welcome. While an intense rivalry exists between USU and Utah in athletic contests, the blood drive rivalry can bring nothing but good, Phelps said.
“This is something they [Red Cross] really need,” Phelps said, referring to the dangerously low shortage of blood being experienced across the country.
There were many USU students in the Sunburst Lounge Friday getting a head start on the competition. Eddie Vega, a freshman majoring in history, said he was just walking by the blood drive and decided to become a first-time donor.
Erin Morris, a junior studying math education, and sophomore Lauren Voelker, majoring in family/human development, were more seasoned blood donors.
“I’ve probably done it like eight times now,” Voelker said. “They say that you save three lives every time you donate blood.”
Some students may wonder what the winner of the blood competition will receive.
“For now it’s just going to be bragging rights,” Phelps said. “What we want to do is make this more of a tradition for the school for the students to participate in every year.”
Phelps said the goal is to announce the winner of the blood drive during the Utah versus USU football game on Aug. 31.
The drive will continue Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Sunburst Lounge of the TSC. Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be 17 years old, be in general good health and have not donated blood in the last 56 days. In addition, valid identification is required.
Phelps said USU is at a disadvantage to Utah, because they have a hospital on campus which allows students to donate blood anytime.
Phelps said USU only has three days to donate blood, so all students should help make it count.
str@cc.usu.edu