20th Annual Blood Battle Returns to USU Campus

LOGAN, Utah — Entering its 20th year, Utah State University and the Christensen Office of Social Action will host the annual Blood Battle, supporting the American Red Cross. The competition pits USU against Weber State University in a blood drive to get the most live-saving donations.

Donors of all blood types are encouraged to donate and help supply the American Red Cross with much needed blood donations to help address a growing shortage in the United States. The competition will be from Sept. 5-8 in the Taggart Student Center Lounges. Additionally, a one-day drive will take place on Sept. 6 at the USU Eastern campus, with units collected there counting toward USU’s total donations. USU has a goal to reach at least 415 units of blood, which has the potential to save more than 1,200 lives.

“We’re excited to celebrate twenty years of Blood Battles with the Red Cross and Weber State,” said Nelda Ault-Dyslin, assistant director of Community-Engaged Learning. “We know that Aggies, and our community member supporters, will help us reach our goal this year and save even more lives than ever before.”

Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis. Students, faculty, staff and community members are all invited to donate toward a good cause. Appointments will begin at 9 a.m. and run through 8 p.m. each day. Donors can make an appointment by visiting https://www.usu.edu/social-action-sustainability/news/2023-blood-battle. Parking vouchers will be available for donors who park in Big Blue or Aggie Terraces.

Volunteers are also needed to help support the drive by staffing the check-in table and refreshment table. Volunteers can sign up by visiting AggiePulse. All donors and volunteers will receive a 20th anniversary commemorative t-shirt.

This year the Christensen Office of Social Action invites clubs and organizations at USU to support by inviting their membership to donate under their organization’s name. Donors can state which group they belong to, and the group with the highest number of donors will win Aggie Ice Cream and Chick-fil-A meals for their members. Staff, faculty, and alumni can give the organization of their choice a boost by donating under that group’s name.

Blood donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at www.RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass. This will help speed up the check-in process on the day of donation.

When it comes to blood transfusions, many people think about emergency situations and traumatic operations. While blood is crucial in these situations, it is also needed for long-awaited transplant surgeries, cancer treatments, and patients who depend on regular transfusions for life. A blood shortage jeopardizes all these procedures.

The annual blood battle between USU and WSU began in 2004. USU has won the competition each of the last four years.

Where: Taggart Student Center Lounges (second floor)

• Community members who park in the Big Blue or Aggie Terraces will be given a free parking voucher

When: Sept. 5-8, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Who: All blood types are welcome and needed

For more information on what you need to do before a blood donation, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org.