As the big game between Michigan and Ohio
State draws near, students should remember that the annual Blood
Battle between the universities is also taking place. For the last
22 years, the schools have competed for whose students can donate
the most blood to the American Red Cross. At Michigan, the battle
began Nov. 10 and will continue until Nov. 21. Given that Ohio
State started its drive two weeks earlier, Michigan students should
take extra efforts to make up for this lost time and help defeat
Ohio State, both on and off the football field this year.

Athletic rivalries aside, donating blood is extremely important.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of a
blood transfusion, totaling up to 38,000 needed donations a day. A
single blood transfusion can require up to 100 units of blood.
Furthermore, this demand is growing at a faster rate than
donations. Currently, the national blood supply is low, making it
impossible to meet demands in case of a national emergency.

Because the Michigan-Ohio State Blood Battle is the largest
blood drive in the nation, it is especially important for students
to keep this worthy tradition alive. The Red Cross is depending on
students to donate between 2,000 and 3,000 pints of blood during
the course of the drive. The national blood supply would suffer a
great loss if it were not for the generosity of both the Michigan
and Ohio State students. The University community should be
commended for playing such a vital role in saving so many lives for
as long as it has and be proud to continue this tradition for many
more years.

The last 12 times that Michigan has won the Blood Battle, it has
lost the football game, creating what organizers of the battle have
dubbed “the curse.” Despite this, the Michigan football
players practice hard for the upcoming battle in the Big House this
Saturday, the student body should do its part in defeating OSU as
well. The entire University community should take advantage of this
opportunity to beat Ohio State both on and off the football field
this year and to save lives in the process.

The Blood Battle is being sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega, the Red
Cross and the Michigan Student Assembly. For more information,
visit the Blood Battle website at www.umbloodbattle.org, which has
a complete listing of locations, times and guidelines. Students can
sign up to donate blood online or simply walk in at any of the
locations. As an extra incentive, donors will be given free donuts
and juice for giving blood. Get out and do your part to help the
Red Cross and beat Ohio State in the Blood Battle.