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News Release

Last modified: Wednesday, November 19, 2008

IU beats Purdue in 12th annual ‘battle for blood’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 19, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- For the fourth year in a row, Indiana University has emerged victorious from the blood battle against Purdue University.

IU won the annual Indiana vs. Purdue Blood Donor Challenge, a friendly competition that encourages Indiana residents to donate blood.

Between Oct. 6 and Nov. 14, participants donated blood in the name of their chosen university at blood donation locations across the state, including the Indiana Blood Center, the American Red Cross, Heartland Blood Center, Richmond Community Blood Center, Hoxworth Blood Center, and the South Bend Medical Center.

IU alumni, students and fans donated 4,941 units of blood, compared to 3,603 units donated by Purdue supporters.

"We are thrilled that so many have turned up to donate blood this year, and we owe a great deal of thanks to Linda Lynch for her exceptional efforts as honorary co-chairwoman and to all the staff at both schools for promoting it so wonderfully," said Tom Martz, president and CEO of the IU Alumni Association. "A lot of our fellow Hoosiers will benefit from this life-saving gift."

Linda Lynch, wife of IU football coach Bill Lynch, will present the traveling trophy -- a replica of the Old Oaken Bucket -- to IU on Saturday (Nov. 22). She will make the presentation along with co-chair Arnette Tiller, wife of Purdue coach Joe Tiller. The trophy will be presented at the end of the first quarter of the IU vs. Purdue football game for the Old Oaken Bucket at West Lafayette.

MaryEllen Bishop, immediate past chairwoman of the IU Alumni Association, and Jennifer Gentry, director of alumni programs, will accept the trophy on behalf of the IUAA.

This year's competition was the 12th Blood Donor Challenge since 1997. With IU's win this year, IU and Purdue are tied 6-6 in the series. Of course, the real winners of this friendly competition are the thousands of hospital patients throughout Indiana whose lives have been saved.

This year's Blood Donor Challenge was made possible through a collaboration of the IU Alumni Association, Purdue Alumni Association, Indiana Blood Center, American Red Cross, Heartland Blood Center, Richmond Community Blood Center, Hoxworth Blood Center and the 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 516,000 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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