Sooners take part in Bedlam Blood Battle to save lives

Students have until Friday to donate pints in the Bedlam Blood Battle.

The drive began Monday, and students can still donate 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today through Friday at the OU ROTC Armory.

Organized by the Oklahoma Blood Institute, the blood drive aims to keep the state supplies full, Blood Program Consultant Judy Freeman said.

“Oklahoma hasn’t used any blood from outside the state from 1981,” Freeman said. “We’re very self-sufficient,”

The blood battle with Oklahoma State is in its third year, and organizers hope to reach 650 OU donors by the end of the week, Blood Program Consultant Kelley McPhail said. As of Wednesday afternoon, about 400 people had donated.

To increase the number of donors, the OBI has been trying to build sponsorships with the different colleges on the campus, as well as Campus Corner shops and restaurants, Freeman said.

Donors can receive food and coupons to locations, and the institute can advertise more, she said.

“We can’t go out and chalk on the sidewalk, but sponsoring groups can,” Freeman said. “We already do as much as we can — what we need them to do is spread the word out.”

The organization also uses its list from previous semesters to bring students back, but students withdraw or graduate, so there’s always a need for more people, Freeman said.

Communication sophomore Zereen Abdullah donated blood for the second time Wednesday.

“Last time I donated they told me I had a rare blood type,” Abdullah said. “If I can help someone just by giving, it’s nice.”

Even though Oklahoma State has won the battle every other year, OU might be the winner this time.

“We’re [going to] do our best to win,” McPhail said.

CoCo Courtois

CoCo is a former staff member of The Oklahoma Daily who worked as Campus Reporter.