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WMU and CMU responding to Blood Challenge

Jan. 17, 2006

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University and archrival Central Michigan are gearing up for their semi-annual Blood Challenge, a competition to see which school can generate more pints of blood for the American Red Cross.

Students, faculty and staff members at the two universities also are responding to a different kind of blood challenge--a shortage of blood supplies in Michigan, which recently was acute.

"We fell below a one-day supply of blood, which we consider to be the bare minimum," says Justin Looyenga, senior donor recruitment representative for ARC Blood Services. "Yesterday, we were able to raise that back to a one-day supply, but we're still hoovering right around the minimum."

Blood Challenge goals for both CMU and WMU are 900 pints of usable blood. At WMU, the challenge kicks off Tuesday, Jan. 24, in the Bernhard Center Ballroom, with a first-day goal of 105 pints. Thirteen blood drives will be held on WMU's main campus through Feb. 9. Everyone who donates blood will receive a free souvenir T-shirt.

Donors are encouraged to make an appointment for one of the following drives by visiting the Web at www.givelife.org. Enter WMU under "Enter your Zip Code or Sponsor Code." Donors without appointments also are welcome, but appointments are recommended.

WMU Blood Drives

Tuesday, Jan. 24, Bernhard Center Ballroom, 1 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, Bernhard Center Ballroom, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 26, Bernhard Center Ballroom, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 27, Miller Auditorium Grand Tier lobby, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 30, Draper Hall lounge, 1 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, Eicher Hall lounge, 1 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, Bigelow Hall lounge, 1 to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 2, French Hall lounge, 1 to 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 3, Burnham Hall lounge, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 6, Henry Hall lounge, 1 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 7, College of Health and Human Services first-floor lounge, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 8, Bernhard Center Ballroom, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 9, 2350 Schneider Hall, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please send questions to broncos@usa.redcross.org.

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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