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News Release

Last modified: Friday, October 1, 2010

14th annual IU Blood Donor Challenge through Oct. 22

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 1, 2010

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University continues saving lives this year with the 14th annual IU Blood Donor Challenge, which continues through Oct. 22.

The Blood Donor Challenge is a friendly competition between IU alumni chapters, student organizations, constituent societies and other groups in Indiana and around the nation to raise the most units of donated blood.

"IU alumni have a rich tradition of community service, which is why the IU Alumni Association is a proud sponsor of the IU Blood Donor Challenge," said J T. Forbes, executive director of the IUAA and an honorary co-chair of the 2010 challenge. "We're proud to share our 'crimson' blood to help save lives. We're excited that our alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends and fans from across the state and nation come together for this common cause and truly help IU save lives. I'm honored to be a part of the Blood Donor Challenge and know that together, we will exceed our goal."

IU alumni, students, staff, friends and fans are invited to donate blood in IU's name to help the Blood Donor Challenge reach the goal of 3,000 donated units.

The challenge extends beyond IU-affiliated groups. Community organizations, high schools, social groups -- everyone -- is encouraged to organize a blood drive or donate blood at a participating agency in their area. The alumni chapter, student organization, and constituent society that raises the most units will be recognized at the last home football game of the season, between the IU Hoosiers and the Iowa Hawkeyes, on Nov. 6 in Bloomington.

"Co-chairs for this year's challenge include representatives from IU regional campuses and the IU Foundation to inspire some friendly cross-campus competition," said Jennifer Gentry, director of alumni programs at IUAA.

The Blood Donor Challenge began in 1997 as the IU vs. Purdue Blood Donor Challenge in the Indianapolis area. In the first 12 years, IU and Purdue raised more than 49,000 units of blood. In 2009, the challenge became the IU Blood Donor Challenge and IU alone raised more than 3,000 units. Each unit of blood can save up to three lives, so potentially 156,000 lives have been saved over 13 years of the challenge.

Donors may go to any participating blood donor center and are asked to identify themselves as donating blood in the name of IU. As an incentive, donors will receive a free IU Blood Donor Challenge T-shirt while supplies last.

For a list of participating blood donor centers, go to 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/. If you are interested in setting up a drive in your area, contact Gentry at jengentr@indiana.edu.

The Blood Donor Challenge is made possible through the collaboration of the IU Alumni Association with the following blood agencies:

• In Indiana: the American Red Cross, Indiana Blood Center, South Bend Medical Foundation, Heartland Blood Center and the Richmond Community Blood Center.
• In Ohio: Hoxworth Blood 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 540,000 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.

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