August 24, 2009 — The seventh annual “Bleed Red” blood drive competition between the University of Utah (the U) and Utah State University (USU) will take place Friday, Aug. 28 through Thursday, Sept. 3-the week of the big football game between the two teams. For the past five years, the U has won the battle on the football field, but USU has taken home the trophy for the blood drive competition. This year U students are determined to win both on the field and in blood donations.

The “Bleed Red” competition is open to anyone who would like to donate blood. Last year USU won with a total donation of 1,235 units to Utah’s 1,054.

“We want this year to be the year that we break the infamous winning streak of USU by donating another record amount of blood,” said ASUU Community Service Director Stanley Lloyd. “This is the perfect way to get students acquainted with the community service side of the U by allowing them to participate in an activity that has a huge impact on our community. The blood donated is greatly needed and appreciated by our local hospitals and U students enjoy being a part of fulfilling that need.”

Donors will receive a “Bleed Red” T-shirt and will be eligible to win prizes including tickets to the BYU/Utah football game or a Nintendo Wii.

Blood drive locations will be in the A. Ray Olpin Union Ballroom, Crimson View in the Union, Salt Lake LDS Institute and in ARUP Laboratories’ “Bloodmobile” just north of the University Bookstore. For directions and times go to www.utahblood.org.

Donors unable to reach campus may donate at ARUP Blood Services in Murray or at Research Park in Salt Lake City and must indicate that the donation is for “Bleed Red.”

ARUP Blood Services will be collecting the blood during “Bleed Red” week. All donations made at the U will go to University Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, Primary Children’s Medical Center or Shriners Hospital for Children. Of the 48 hospitals in Utah, these four hospitals use around 25 percent of the blood transfused in the state.

Donors should bring photo identification and plan to spend around 35 to 45 minutes to complete the paperwork, the mini-physical and give blood. The be eligible, participants must weight at least 110 pounds, be 18 years old and be in generally good health.

The following are blood drive dates and locations for “Bleed Red” at the University of Utah.

Friday, August 28
Union Center Ballroom, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
North Bookstore Sidewalk, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bloodmobile

Monday, August 31
Crimson View, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Salt Lake LDS Institute, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
North Bookstore Sidewalk, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bloodmobile

Tuesday, September 1
Crimson View, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
North Bookstore Sidewalk, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bloodmobile

Wednesday, September 2
Union Center Ballroom, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
North Bookstore Sidewalk 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bloodmobile

Thursday, September 3
Union Center Ballroom, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
North Bookstore Sidewalk, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Bloodmobile