Red Cross kicks off Civil War Blood Drive

Oregon State University and the University of Oregon Alumni Associations’ “Rivals for Life” Civil War Blood Drive is kicking off its eleventh season.

Once again, both universities will unite with a shared vision of helping to save lives.

The statewide blood drive campaign will run November 1 through November 17, and is sponsored by Oregon State University and University of Oregon Alumni Associations, OregonLive.com, American Red Cross, and Lane Blood Center.

Every presenting donor will have the chance to win one of several pairs of tickets to see the Civil War game at Reser Stadium in Corvallis on Saturday, November 24, 2012.

To enter, be sure to sign a “Civil War Blood Drive Ballot” when you come in to donate at any participating blood drive across the state of Oregon. Your ballot will enter you in drawings for one of several pairs of 2012 game tickets and count as a vote for your favorite team to win the Civil War trophy.

Both university football coaches understand the need for blood donors and support the annual campaign.

UO Head Football Coach Chip Kelly said, “Certainly this is a cause of greater importance than the game of football, and one I hope all fans within the state of Oregon will support.”

OSU Head Football Coach Mike Riley noted, “One of the best things about our Civil War rivalry with the Ducks is that, every year, theCivil War Blood Driveprompts loyal fans of both programs to turn out and give. Although I always want the Beavers to win at everything, this is one competition in which I’d like to see Beavers and Ducks alike break records this year.”

During its history, fans, students, and alumni of both schools have seen nearly 66,500 presenting blood and platelet donors (6,586 in 2011) helping hospital patients.

The campaign helps ensure that medical conditions requiring blood products can be met during the winter months.

It is imperative to keep our blood supply ready and available, when and where it is needed. Unfortunately, illnesses and injuries requiring blood transfusion do not take a break for the holiday season.

Please schedule a donation on behalf of either the Ducks or the Beavers at any blood drive, statewide, between November 1–17, 2012 by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or in Lane County, call Lane Blood Center at 541-484-9111 or search for blood drives at www.CivilWarBloodDrive.com.