ANN ARBOR (Nov. 17, 2025) – The American Red Cross, in partnership with the University of Michigan, will host Be a Hero at the Big House Blood Drive on Sunday, Nov. 23, as part of the 43rd annual Blood Battle against rival Ohio State University.
The Be a Hero drive is the largest single-day blood donation event on the U-M campus. Donors will have the opportunity to visit Michigan Stadium’s Jack Roth Stadium Club during the event, which runs from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Guests donating and not donating blood can partake in multiple activities throughout the day. These include registering to be an organ or bone marrow donor, games with prizes and a self-guided tour of Michigan Stadium, known as the Big House, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
“As the holiday season approaches, your blood donation can bring patients comfort and hope,” said Erin Burns, donor recruitment manager for the Red Cross in Michigan. “By rolling up your sleeve at Be a Hero, you are truly making a difference.”
Be a Hero serves as the signature event of the Blood Battle, which challenges the two universities to collect the most pints of blood during blood drives in October and November. The Red Cross organizes the drives in collaboration with U-M. The final blood drive of the competition will be held Nov. 26.
“The need for blood donations is constant and can be particularly acute around the holidays when donations tend to decrease. Increasing the supply now is critical,” said Robert Ernst, M.D., chief health officer for the University of Michigan. “The Blood Battle and the Be a Hero event are both great ways to bring in these needed donations and do something positive for our community.”
The winning school of the Be a Hero Blood drive will be presented with a trophy during the U-M vs. OSU football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29.
All presenting donors who give at Be a Hero and other Blood Battle blood drives will receive a limited-edition commemorative Blood Battle T-shirt, complimentary snacks, coupons and be entered to win giveaway prizes.
To sign up to donate blood, visit 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.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: Sydney Henry / sydney.henry@redcross.org / 313-439-4304
Valerie Goodwin / vagoodwi@med.umich.edu / 734-658-1519
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 follow us on social media.
