The American Red Cross supported a blood drive Wednesday to give Ohio State students a chance to see the OSU vs. Michigan football game in Ann Arbor.
“We will have a drawing and whoever gives blood can enter to win two tickets to the game, two nights in a hotel, and $200 in spending money,” Mary Geiger, a junior in biology, said.
The Red Cross sponsors many blood drives around the campus area, and generally gets a good turnout.
“The amount of people we get changes for each blood drive…the ones that are in the center of campus are usually busier,” Geiger said.
The Red Cross used Michigan tickets as a big incentive for students to come and donate blood. However, there are other good things that come from donating as well.
“Apparently it is really good for you,” Jill Wright, a graduate student in music,said. “It’s good for your body to get rid of old blood so that you can generate new blood.”
Stephen Bolzenius, a Red Cross employee, agreed.
“There are benefits, there is iron in your red blood cells, and too much iron can sometimes lead to heart disease,” he said.
Wright also came to donate blood because she is O-positive, which is compatible with several other blood types.
“The Red Cross calls me when they are having blood drives, they need help, they need blood,” she said.
The Red Cross is also sponsoring the 2007 OSU versus Michigan Blood Battle this year. It starts on Nov. 1 and runs through Nov. 16.
“It is a competition between OSU and Michigan to see who can donate the most blood. There will be 12 blood drives in all, and they will be in different buildings and dorms across campus,” Geiger said.
Those who participate in the OSU-Michigan Blood Battle will receive a free OSU mini football.
“The Michigan blood drives are popular on campus,” Geiger said. “They are pretty well known to the students.”
Kelly Cass can be reached at [email protected].
