ANN ARBOR (Oct. 25, 2023) – The American Red  Cross is teaming up with the University of Michigan for  its annual Blood Battle against long-time rival the Ohio  State University. This friendly competition comes as the Red Cross continues to face a national blood shortage.

“Donations will be critical in the coming weeks as we  work to restock blood products for patients ahead of the holiday season,” said Mary Lynn Foster, chief executive officer for the Michigan Region of the Red Cross.  “Blood is needed throughout Michigan and across the country, so by rolling up a sleeve during this spirited competition, you are truly making a difference.”

This year marks the 41st year the two universities have vied to collect the most pints of blood during a series of blood drives for the Red Cross. 

The Blood Battle runs through Nov. 22, with 29 drives around U-M and Ann Arbor. You can also schedule an appointment during the Be a Hero blood drive on  Sunday, Nov. 19. This is the largest single-day blood  drive on the U-M campus and donors have a chance to  see the Big House from the Jack Roth Stadium Club.  Foster is one of the donors scheduled to give blood that day.

Blood product distributions to hospitals are still  outpacing the number of blood donations coming in,  and distributions of some of the most needed blood  types to hospitals have been further reduced. The Red Cross is working with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients, and donations made during the Blood Battle can make a significant impact.

Everyone who comes to donate during the Blood Battle will receive a commemorative T-shirt, coupons to local businesses and a chance at a $5,000 prize. Presenting donors will also be entered into raffles to win other exciting giveaways.

To sign up to donate blood, visit  www.redcrossblood.org and type sponsor code  “goblue” in the search box, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or download the Red Cross Blood
Donor App. Appointments are preferred but walks-in  are welcome, said Erin Burns, Red Cross blood  account manager for Southeast Michigan. 

“Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can  only be made available through the kindness of  volunteer donors,” Burns said. “When you donate, you can help change a life.”

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MEDIA CONTACT: Alicia Dorr / alicia.dorr@redcross.org / 616.306.8040

About the American Red Cross 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of  the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives;  distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports  veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on
Twitter at @RedCross. 

About Michigan Medicine and University of Michigan Health

At Michigan Medicine, we advance health to serve Michigan and the world. We pursue excellence every day in our 11 hospitals and hundreds of clinics  statewide, as well as educate the next generation of physicians, health professionals and scientists in our U-M Medical School.

Michigan Medicine includes U-M Medical School and University of Michigan Health, which includes the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, University Hospital, the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan Health-West, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow and the Rogel Cancer Center. The U-M Medical School is one of the nation's biomedical research powerhouses, with total research awards of more than $777 million. More information is available at michiganmedicine.org.