Annual blood drive banks on rivalry to boost contributions
During the annual UT and A&M rivalry, blood will be shed, but not on the football field. The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas will hold its third annual UT versus A&M blood donation contest the week before the Nov. 26 game.
From Nov. 21 to Nov. 25, Longhorns and Aggies who are eligible to donate blood can visit one of the center’s five locations and donate to support their favorite team. An eligible donor must be at least 17 years old, in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Center spokeswoman Cindy Rowe said the contest has drawn people to the blood drive, and the number of donations has increased by 25 percent since the first contest.
“UT has won it the past two years, so this year, A&M wants to bring it on,” Rowe said.
The center has two blood donation sites in Austin, one on North Lamar Boulevard and one at the Southpark Meadows shopping center off of Interstate Highway 35. There are additional donation sites in Cedar Park, Georgetown and Round Rock.
UT students can participate by visiting a blood donation van on campus. One van will be located at the College of Pharmacy Atrium on Nov. 16, and another will be at the Speedway Plaza on Nov. 23 and 24.
Everyone who donates can enter a raffle to win two tickets to the UT vs. A&M football game. The center will also distribute 500 $50 gift certificates to Kruger’s Diamond Jewelers and T-shirts at its locations on a first-come, first-served basis.
— Priscilla Totiyapungprasert
Be the first to comment on this article!