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News Release

Last modified: Friday, September 16, 2011

15th annual IU Blood Donor Challenge under way

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 16, 2011

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University marks its 15th annual Blood Donor Challenge by asking the question: "Is IU in your blood?"

The Blood Donor Challenge, which began Sunday, Sept. 11, and continues through Nov. 4, 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.

"Each year, IU alumni and other members of our community demonstrate their commitment to serving others by participating in the IU Blood Donor Challenge," said JT. Forbes, executive director of the IU Alumni Association and the honorary chair of the 2011 challenge. "The IU Alumni Association is a proud sponsor of the challenge. This is an opportunity to 'bleed crimson' to help your community."

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

As always, the challenge is open to groups beyond the IU community, including high schools, social groups and community organizations. The goal is to encourage as many people as possible to donate blood at a participating agency in their area. The alumni chapter, student organization and constituent society that raise the most units will be recognized at a home basketball game in November or December.

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 together 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.

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, featuring the "Is IU in your blood?" theme, while supplies last.

For a list of participating blood donor centers, go to alumni.indiana.edu/bdc. If you are interested in setting up a drive in your area, contact IUAA staff member Nicki Bland at nhbland@indiana.edu.

The Blood Donor Challenge is made possible through the collaboration of the IU Alumni Association with the following blood agencies: the American Red Cross, Indiana Blood Center and South Bend Medical Foundation.

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 more information, visit https://alumni.indiana.edu or call 800-824-3044.

For more information about the Blood Donor Challenge, go to alumni.indiana.edu/bdc.

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