Sept. 2, 2004 — Attention all University of Utah students, faculty, alumni and fans! Your chance to save a life and support the U is here. Not only will there be blood on the football field when the Utah Utes and the Utah State Aggies meet in Logan, a lot more blood will be banked for the community as well. The University of Utah and Utah State University will go head to head in the annual “Bleed Red” blood drive competition, Sept. 13 through 17, and will culminate Saturday, Sept. 18, on the field of Romney Stadium before the football game against USU. Last year, Utah State stole the “Bleed Red” trophy with almost double the units of blood collected by the U. This year, the University of Utah student body is determined to win back the trophy.
The “Bleed Red” competition will extend into the community, with several local businesses showing their support. The University of Utah Service Council, together with Associated Foods, Hands On Promotions and Z-Docs, will sponsor the in-state rivalry.
ARUP Blood Services will staff the effort to collect more than 600 units of blood in five days. Campus blood drive locations and times will be posted each day in The Daily Utah Chronicle, on the ASUU Web site, www.ustudents.com, and at www.utahblood.org.
Running totals of blood collected in the competition will be posted in the Union Building. Besides boosting school spirit, the competition will also help the community, as all blood collected benefits patients in Salt Lake City.
ARUP Blood Services is the sole blood provider to University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Primary Children’s Medical Center and Shriners Hospital for Children. Of the 43 hospitals using blood in Utah, these four hospitals use about 25 percent of all blood transfused in the state.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates blood collection for patient use. Each unit of blood collected is separated into different components to help multiple patients in need. ARUP Blood Services requires approximately 75 people to donate blood every day to keep up with the needs of the hospitals ARUP serves. Meeting this demand is especially challenging during weekends, holidays and summer months.
ARUP Blood Services is a not-for-profit component of the University of Utah that provides blood to the only children’s hospitals in Utah. Blood for babies must be less than five days old, which creates a continual need for blood. Children and adults undergoing bone marrow transplants or recovering from cancer, burns, trauma, surgery or illness count on ARUP to have an ongoing supply of blood for their treatment. The public can help by donating blood.
Donors should bring photo identification and plan to spend about 45 minutes to complete the paperwork, have a mini-physical and give blood. To be eligible, participants must weigh at least 110 pounds, be 18 years old and in generally good health. Visit www.utahblood.org to learn more about where to donate blood, how to host a blood drive, the “Blood Donor for Babies” program and “Club 56,” for those who are willing to donate blood every 56 days. For more information, call 801-584-5272.