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Blood Battle - Celebrating 30 Years!

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Only 6 days left until Blood Battle!

The University of Michigan faces off against an Ohio State University for the 30th annual Blood Battle! Every year, in the two and a half weeks preceding the football game the two schools extend their rivalry off the field as the school’s students, faculty, and staff compete to see which University can collect more pints of blood. Community members are encouraged to donate as well. The University of Michigan has won the last three years, and hopes to extend their winning streak by collecting over 2,550 pints of blood!

The history of Blood Battle goes back to 1966 when the students of Alpha Phi Omega sponsored and hosted the first blood drives on the Michigan campus. By 1982, the drives had expanded so much that the organizers took advantage of their success and the rivalry with the Buckeyes to hold the first Blood Battle. The University of Michigan won and a tradition was born.

Recent years have seen close competitions. In 2007, U of M lost by a mere three pints - the equivalent to three donors - when both schools collected over 2000 pints. It was Michigan's sixth straight loss in the battle, and OSU was closing the gap on Michigan's overall win record.

With an overwhelming showing by the student body and an incredible display of school spirit, Michigan broke OSU's streak in 2008, and went on to win in 2009.

In 2010, both U of M and OSU collected more pints of blood than the year before. U of M defended the championship by collecting 2,615 pints of blood collected on campus in Ann Arbor  as opposed to 2,515 pints collected in Columbus by the Buckeyes.

This year Blood Battle runs November 3rd - November 18th with drives held all over Michigan’s campus. Come help Michigan beat OSU again by visiting redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: goblue) to schedule an appointment to donate blood. For more information about Blood Battle, visit bloodbattle.org.

Bleed maize and blue to be OSU!

Come See The Gravest Show On Earth!

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Donate blood anytime between now and October 28th, 2011 and receive a $2 off coupon to the Three Corpse Circus International Short Horror Film Festival! In addition to the discounted ticket price, $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the Washtenaw County American Red Cross!

When: Friday, October 28th, 2011 - Doors open at 6:00pm!

Where: The Michigan Theater

Tickets: $10 but only $8 if you have donated blood and received the $2 off coupon!

Please visit ThreeCorpseCircus.com for more information, and call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment to donate blood!

 

 

Support local American Red Cross Clubs at Buffalo Wild Wings in Ypsilanti on Thursday, September 29

Click here to download:
Microsoft_Word_-_Buffalo_Wild_Wings_Fundraising_Flyer_Template.pdf (90 KB)
(download)

Support your American Red Cross Washtenaw County Chapter Thursday, September 29, 2011 all day at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Ypsilanti! Buffalo Wild Wings will be donating 20% of all designated purchases to the American Red Cross. The above flyer must be presented to the host to donate.

The proceeds collected from this fundraiser will be reinvested in the local community by encouraging student involvement in the American Red Cross' mission.

The Buffalo Wild Wings is located at 216 James L. Hart Parkway, Ypsilanti, MI. Please print and bring the flyer with you to ensure that the clubs will receive the donation. 

For more information regarding the American Red Cross of Washtenaw County please contact Mark Huizenga at HuizengaM@usa.redcross.org.

 

 

Donate Blood NOW: Save Lives AND Get FREE STUFF!

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Help the Tigers wrap up the Season!

Your American Red Cross and 97.1 The Ticket wants you to help save lives this Labor Day weekend. Everyone who comes donate at special Red Cross blood drives on September 2nd, 3rd, and 5th will receive a pair of tickets to a Detroit Tigers game in September. Donors will also be entered to win a grand prize package including: two game tickets; a parking pass; an on-field, pre-game experience; and a bat autographed by Brennan Boesch.

If you've got the time – and want to see some great end-of-season baseball – click here to make your appointment to donate blood this Labor Day weekend. Keep that appointment and we'll take you out to the ball game!


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Get a Thrill – Donate Blood!


In August and September, all first time donors who come donate blood at a Red Cross donor center in Southeastern Michigan will receive one free full-admission Cedar Point ticket. To qualify, donors must schedule an appointment online in advance, or call Cheryl at 313-549-7048. Please complete the attached coupon and turn it in at time of donation.

 

The Lifesaving Journey of Blood

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WDIV channel 4 news teamed up with the Red Cross to follow one pint of blood from a blood donor all the way to the recipients at area hospitals. Very cool! Not mentioned are our awesome volunteers who staff registration and canteen at every blood drive, as well as label and tube the blood bags pre-donation. The blood is transported to area hospitals by volunteer drivers on a daily basis.

Click here to view the photo slideshow and the four videos: http://www.clickondetroit.com/health/28478344/detail.html.

This piece came out at just the right time because the Red Cross is issuing a nationwide call for blood donors in an effort to boost the blood supply. Many factors have contributed to this decision, including review of our inventory levels, as well as projected collections over the next few weeks.

You may remember that the Red Cross issued a national appeal this winter as a result of decreased collections due to winter storms. This action significantly increased collections and we are hopeful that this summer appeal will have the same effect. 

Face Off: Michigan vs MSU in the fight to save lives!

The University of Michigan is “Facing Off” against Michigan State University in a competition to collect blood and save hundreds of lives. The “Face Off” competition began to help satisfy the need for blood in the winter months. Some years—this year included—U of M competes against Michigan State in the "Face-Off Blood Challenge." Other years - like in 2008 and 2010 - all of the Big Ten schools get involved with the life-saving cause to compete against each other in the “Big Ten Blood Challenge.”

Face Off began January 23rd and runs through February 11th (this Friday!). Alpha Phi Omega—a co-ed national service fraternity—and the Red Cross Club at UM have paired up again in an effort to collect more pints of life-saving blood than the Michigan State Spartans. These two student groups were responsible for the fantastic turn-out at Blood Battle last semester, where UM students, faculty and Washtenaw County donated 2,615 pints of blood, beating Ohio State’s 2,515 pints!!

This year’s competition could not come at a better time, as the American Red Cross has sent out a national appeal for blood donors due to the lowest blood supply in over 10 years. Because of the winter storms, over twenty-three thousand blood donation appointments have been cancelled, creating a deficit of twenty-eight thousand units in the nation’s blood supply. Students at both schools are doing their best to help with the deficit by encouraging everyone to come and donate during their drives.

Persons who wish to donate blood during Face Off must be in good health, at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent in Michigan), and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Washtenaw County community members are encouraged to get involved. Face Off runs until Friday, February 11th with drives held all over Michigan’s campus. Come help Michigan extend its winning streak by visiting redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: goblue) to schedule an appointment to donate blood.

Help Michigan beat MSU and help the nationwide blood supply by donating. Go Blue!

Local Lifesavers Awarded with National Award Citations

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Caption:

Left Picture: Rep. Mark Ouimet, WCARC CEO Donna Duvin, Catherine Potoff, Director of Emergency Services Ashley Cieslinski

Right Picture:Director of Health & Safety Sherri Olson-Roberts, Charles Van Pelt, WCARC CEO Donna Duvin, Rep. Mark Ouimet
 
The Washtenaw County Chapter of the American Red Cross awarded two local lifesavers with National award citations Thursday evening.

The National Certificate of Merit honors individuals for saving or sustaining a life as a direct result of American Red Cross training. Since 1911, the National Red Cross has presented the Certificate of Merit to more than 12,000 individuals who have saved or sustained life. The highest achievement, this award has borne the signatures of 15 U.S. Presidents and 9 Chairmen of the American Red Cross.

The awardees are 2 local community members who have both received Red Cross training:

Charles Van Pelt: While providing services on national deployment for disaster flood relief in Tennessee, Charles came upon a 5 year old boy who was choking. Charles used his education in CPR/FA/AED Training and provided abdominal thrusts and back blows to save the young boys life.

Catherine Potoff: While delivering newspapers, a man suffered cardiac arrest and crashed his car into a tree in Catherine's yard.  Catherine grabbed her first aid kit, called 911 and immediately began providing assistance in the wreckage of the car (she did not want to the move the man to avoid any further head/neck trauma). She used her training from CPR/FA/AED to provide chest compressions until EMS arrived which ultimately saved his life.

Stay Safe on the Roads this Winter Season

The American Red Cross has some safety tips people can follow to stay safe on the road this winter:

  • Carry an emergency preparedness kit in the trunk.
  • Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
  • Let someone know your destination, your route and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
  • If you do get stuck, stay with your car. Do not try to walk to safety.
  • Tie a brightly colored cloth (preferably red) to the antenna for rescuers to see.
  • Start the car and use the heater for about 10 minutes every hour. Keep the exhaust pipe clear so fumes won't back up in the car.
  • Leave the overhead light on when the engine is running so that you can be seen.
  • As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs to keep blood circulating and to stay warm.
  • Keep one window away from the blowing wind slightly open to let in air.