'M' trails Buckeyes in 18th annual Blood Battle

Enjoying cookies and juice with a bandage on her arm, Engineering first-year graduate student Linda Bacelis-Bush said she had extra incentive to donate blood during the Red Cross campus blood drive.

"It's a good cause and plus the whole OSU rivalry is always a good reason," she said.

In an effort to get students to donate blood, the University of Michigan and Ohio State University have joined with the Red Cross to host the 18th annual Blood Battle between the schools.

The competition was "started in an effort to increase the knowledge of blood shortage in southeastern Michigan and to create awareness," said co-chair Sarah Fujita, an Engineering junior.

The drive has been successful in recent years, growing into one of the most important blood donation efforts in the metro Detroit area.

DANNY KALICK/Daily LSA junior Erin McWain gives blood at the Michigan Union yesterday during the 18th annual Blood Battle between Ohio State University and the University of Michigan.

"This is the biggest multi-collection site in the Midwest," said Stacey Everson, Red Cross regional representative for Ann Arbor.

Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity on campus, sponsors the Blood Battle.

Most of the volunteers are from APO, but this year both Circle K International and Tau Beta Pi have been involved, said co-chair Laura Mohr, an LSA senior.

This year's goal for the drive is 1,700 pints of blood in a two week period.

As of Tuesday, the Red Cross had collected 850 pints from numerous campus sites, including residence halls and the Michigan Union.

Everson said that this year's turnout is lower

11-18-99