The Big Ten Conference is renowned for the fierce athletic competition between its member schools. Last week it launched a different kind of battle for supremacy, an event that won't earn the winners a trip to a bowl game or national tournament, but rather will determine who can do the most to assist one of the country's leading charitable organizations.
The Big Ten Blood Challenge continues through February 19 on campuses in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, and will directly help the American Red Cross. The event takes place in large part during these winter months, as it's when Red Cross blood supplies often are at their lowest, especially true this year, given the group's ongoing relief efforts in Haiti. Staff, faculty, and students at each institution are encouraged to participate, with an overall goal of 7,500 donated pints. Traveling trophies will go to the universities who score highest in three categories: 1) most donations, 2) percentage of student population donating, and 3) and percentage of individual goal achievement.
For those affiliated with the University of Michigan, there are numerous dates and times available at locations throughout Ann Arbor. Find out where to give life by typing in the code "goblue." Each listing displays the building address and hours during which to donate. At some, appointment slots are still available, while at others donations are on a walk-in basis only. In the latter case, the Red Cross notes that the first and last hours of blood drives typically are the busiest.
For more information, call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or 1-800-448-3543.
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