August 21, 2003 — The University of Utah and Utah State University (USU) will hold a competitive blood drive next week, prior to the football season opener on Aug. 28th between the Utes and the Aggies at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Both university communities, long-time, instate rivals, will cooperatively replenish much-needed local blood supplies. The contest winner will be announced during the Thursday evening game. Last year Utah collected 416 units of blood and USU collected 399 units.

Marshall Welch, director of the U’s Bennion Center, one of the University’s campus agencies sponsoring the “Bleed Red for the Community” project, says “Last year our goal was to collect 300 pints of blood. This year we want to exceed that goal by collecting 100 more pints, which will benefit the entire community. We urge all students, faculty, staff and alumni to participate in this effort, which will run Monday, Aug. 25, through Thursday, Aug. 28.”

“Bleed Red for the Community” is sponsored by the University’s Student Health Service, the Bennion Community Service Center, Athletics Department and ARUP Blood Services, a local, independent community blood provider serving University of Utah Hospital & Clinics, Primary Children’s Medical Center, Shriners Hospital for Children and the Huntsman Cancer Institute.

On Monday, Aug. 25, at 10 a.m., University of Utah Head Football Coach Urban Meyer will make an appearance at the blood drive at the U’s Navy Gun Deck, located at 110 S. 1452 E., where the U’s mascot, “Swoop,” will give blood. This event is open to the media.

The University campus community can donate blood at the following times and places:

Monday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., U of U Navy Gun Deck, 110 S. 1452 E.; 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Wells Fargo, located at 236 S. and 1300 E.

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., U of U Union Building, 200 S. Central Campus Drive; 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., U of U Bookstore, located at 270 S. 1500 E.

Wednesday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., U of U Union Building, 200 S. Central Campus Drive; 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., U of U LDS Institute, located at 1780 E. South Campus Dr.; 4 until 8 p.m., in The Blood Vessel, ARUP’s mobile blood collection bus, which will be parked just south of the Chase N. Petersen Heritage Center.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., U of U Greeks location, 74 S. Wolcott (in front of the Sigma Phi Epsilon House); 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., U of U Marriott Library’s Gould Auditorium. The Marriott Library is located at 295 S. 1500 E.

Donors must bring photo identification. For questions about donating blood, call 801-583-2787, extension 2647 or visit www.utahblood.org.