MURFREESBORO, TN - Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University will face off in a Fall Blood Battle as they take their rivalry off the field for a friendly competition to help save lives. Gene Baker with donor services for the American Red Cross told WGNS that a lot of the blood that is donated, stays in our area... Through the Red Cross App, you can actually follow where you blood goes... The blood donor app covers about 40-years of history. In other words, if you donated blood through the Red Cross in 1984, details of your donation should appear in the app - once you sign in.

The American Red Cross is working with hospitals around-the-clock to meet the blood needs of patients – but can’t do it alone. For this reason, it is important for those who are eligible − especially type O blood donors and platelet donors − to donate in order to ensure hospitals have the blood they need.

The MTSU and WKU “Fall Blood Battle” began in 2010 with the 3-day blood drive always transpiring the week of their big football game. Ray Wiley, associate director of MTSU Campus Recreation, stated... A goal has been set to collect 450 units of blood at both schools, totaling 900 lifesaving units.

The annual 100 Miles of Hope Red Cross Blood Drive competition between MTSU and Conference USA rival Western Kentucky University is set for 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 9-11, at the gymnasium of the Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center at 1848 Blue Raider Drive. All presenting blood donors will receive a commemorative t-shirt, while supplies last. Hear our interview about this upcoming event - Click Here to Listen. 

To schedule your appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or use the Blood Donor App and enter sponsor code: MTSU or WKU.

MORE INFORMATION: Remember the saying, "Bleed Blue, beat WKU". That takes on new meaning these days as the American Red Cross is critically low on blood. This year the wording is different, and the cause is more cruicial. The 100 Miles of Hope American Red Cross Blood Drive will be hosted in the Campus Recreation Center gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, Sept. 9-11, at 1848 Blue Raider Drive. This event is open to the public.

 The Blue Raiders and Hilltoppers’ rivalry returns as Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University compete during the annual fall blood drive, a friendly competition to see which campus community can rally the most lifesaving donations.

“One time sitting in a chair for about 45 minutes or so can make the difference between life and death,” said Ray Wiley, Campus Recreation associate director of facilities and longtime Red Cross volunteer. “We really want to encourage people to give.”

MTSU’s aims to reach 465 total donations, which requires at least 155 units a day, said Gene Baker, American Red Cross senior account manager for donor resources. In 2023, MTSU collected 451 units, but was nipped by three units as WKU collected 454 units — the universities’ closest blood drive in history.

When the MTSU community comes together to donate blood, it helps solve a nationwide need. Blood has a 42-day shelf life, and the United States needs “29,000 units of blood every day, day after day after day,” said Baker, who has donated 351 units himself.

Help those in need of life saving blood. Donate your blood during the 100 Miles of Hope American Red Cross Blood Drive will be hosted in the Campus Recreation Center gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, Sept. 9-11, at 1848 Blue Raider Drive. This event is open to the public.