Last modified: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
13th annual IU Blood Donor Challenge runs nationwide through Nov. 13
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 28, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Originally known as the IU vs. Purdue Blood Donor Challenge, Indiana University continues saving lives this year in the renamed 13th annual IU Blood Donor Challenge. The nationwide challenge will run through Nov. 13.
Honorary co-chairs of the 13th annual Blood Donor Challenge: IU head football coach Bill Lynch and his wife, Linda, and former IU head football coach Bill Mallory and his wife, Ellie.
As of 2008, Purdue no longer participates in the competition, but the IU Blood Donor Challenge continues to encourage IU alumni chapters, student organizations, constituent societies and other groups in Indiana and around the nation to challenge each other to raise the most units of donated blood.
"Without the rivalry with Purdue, we decided to change the format of the challenge," says Jennifer Gentry, director of alumni programs with the IU Alumni Association. "We're trying to raise 5,000 units of blood -- it's not limited only to IU-affiliated groups. We encourage community organizations, high schools, social groups -- anyone -- to organize a blood drive or donate blood at a participating agency in their area."
Participants can donate blood in the name of IU at blood donation sites across Indiana and the nation. The alumni chapter, student organization and constituent society that raises the most units will be recognized at the IU vs. Purdue game on Nov. 21 at Bloomington, Ind.
The Blood Donor Challenge began in 1997 in the Indianapolis area. Last year, 8,544 donors gave blood in the challenge. This year's goal is 5,000 units of blood. One donation can save up to three lives.
Donors may go to any of 25 participating blood donor centers across the state and nation. Donors are asked to identify themselves as donating blood in the name of IU. A list of participating blood donor centers can be found at https://alumni.indiana.edu/events/challenge/donationsites.shtml.
More information on the IU Blood Donor Challenge can be found at https://alumni.indiana.edu/events/challenge/. Anyone interested in setting up a drive in their area should contact Gentry at jengentr@indiana.edu to receive an information packet.
The Blood Donor Challenge is made possible through the collaboration of the IU Alumni Association with the following blood agencies:
- In Indiana: American Red Cross, Indiana Blood Center, South Bend Medical Foundation, Heartland Blood Center and the Richmond Community Blood Center.
- In Ohio: Hoxworth Blood Center
- In California: BloodSource
- In Colorado: Bonfils Community Donor Center, Memorial Hospital Central Blood Bank, Penrose-St. Francis Hospital Blood Bank Donor Center, Poudre Valley Health System/Garth Englund Blood Center and North Colorado Blood Donor Center.
The IU Alumni Association is dedicated to serving the university and its diverse alumni, students and friends. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, serving more than 528,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, nonmember alumni and the university. For information, visit https://www.alumni.indiana.edu/ or call 800-824-3044.
