Annual ‘Blood Battle’ between Michigan, Ohio State starts with Big House event

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Blood Battle will soon start between University of Michigan and Ohio State University.

The main blood donation event for the 41st blood donation competition between the two rivals takes place Nov. 19 at Michigan Stadium, according to a Michigan Medicine release.

The “Be a Hero at the Big House” event, which is a partnership between American Red Cross and the university, is the start of a donation drive that lasts through Nov. 22.

“Be a Hero at the Big House is a critically important event, not only because of its immediate impact on the blood supply, but also because it honors the generosity of blood, bone marrow, tissue and organ donors,” Dr. Christopher Sonnenday, director of the university’s transplant center, said in a statement “None of the work we do at Michigan Medicine, where we are privileged to serve some of the most critically ill and desperate patients, would be possible without daily access to life-saving blood products.”

Ohio State won the “battle” last year for the first time in five years, beating Michigan by 77 pints. The Buckeyes have a goal of reaching at least 1,500 pints of blood this year, according to Ohio State organizers.

The Nov. 19 event is considered the largest single-day blood drive on University of Michigan’s campus for the year, which will include entertainment, activities, giveaways and former Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson as a special guest, officials said. Schedule a donation appointment here.

There are 29 drives around the university and Ann Arbor through Nov. 22, officials said. To sign up to donate blood, visit redcrossblood.org and type the sponsor code “goblue” in the search box, call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Appointments are preferred but walks-in are welcome, officials said.

Blood distribution at hospitals is currently outpacing blood donations coming in, so events like these are vital to health care work, officials said.

“In transplantation, most of our patients require blood products at the time of their transplant or during their recovery,” Sonnenday said. “We are so grateful to all who participate in, and support Be a Hero, one of the most important days of the year.”

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Ann Arbor” daily newsletter.