Bradley and Illinois State University students rolled up their sleeves and put on their game faces to compete in the annual blood drive, the Challenge on 74, this week.
From Jan. 27 to 30, Bradley students came to Markin Center in an effort to collectively donate 180 pints of blood to the Red Cross.
Bradley Fellows partnered with the Red Cross in an effort to encourage students to give back to those in need in the Peoria community.
“Each student can help save up to three lives by donating just one pint of blood,” Red Cross Communications Program Manager Ben Corey said.
The university that donates the most blood by the end of the three days wins bragging rights.
“We have our blood drives down to a science; I’m sure we’ll prevail,” junior construction major and Fellows publicist Caleb Tackes said.
Although the rivalry encourages the two schools to donate blood, there is more to the cause than winning.
“The most important aspect of the competition is that students from both universities come together to help save lives,” Corey said.
The Red Cross stated giving blood is important during the winter because donations decline due to harsh weather and seasonal illnesses. Bradley Fellows strongly encouraged peers to support the cause.
“Students play an important role in helping the Red Cross maintain a sufficient blood supply,” Corey said.
In order to keep up with demand, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 units of blood each day. According to Corey, 20 percent of those donations come from college students.
“You can be somebody’s hero in such a simple way,” Tackes said.
For information on donating blood, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.
