COLUMBUS, Ohio — The football game might now be for another month, but The Ohio State University is already seeking another victory in the annual Blood Battle against the University of Michigan.

Ohio State will host 44 blood drives across its campus areas throughout the battle from Oct. 23 to Nov. 27, three days before the football face-off. The annual tradition began between the schools in 1982.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio State will host 44 blood drives across its campus areas throughout the battle from Oct. 23 to Nov. 27

  • Versiti and Buckeye Blood Club hope to collect at least 1,500 units of blood

  • Defensive linemen Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton will be in attendance to meet donors at the Oct. 23 donation

  • Donors must bring identification in order to donate

“Holding these events on college campuses is important so we can inspire the next generation to become blood donors,” said Brian Bautista, EVP and chief operating officer at Versiti Blood Center of Ohio. “One of the biggest challenges facing the nation’s blood supply is the loss of a significant portion of donors under the age of 30 and Blood Battle events can help change that.”

Versiti and Buckeye Blood Club hope to collect at least 1,500 units of blood for patients at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center. In 2023, the competition from both universities collected more than 3,200 pints to save more than 9,600 lives. 

The battle kicks off Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Ohio Union where defensive linemen Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton will be in attendance to meet donors. Those who donate during the Blood Battle will receive a free Blood Battle T-shirt and a $5 Roosters card, while supplies last. American Red Cross donations will not count toward the battle as Versiti is handling the donations for the competition.

“Your donation is valuable and worth the effort it takes to give because it can directly transform health outcomes for people in your community, from cancer and/or cancer treatments to surgeries to trauma cases,” said Dr. Kami Maddocks, professor and Section Chief for Lymphoma in the Division of Hematology. “Blood cannot be manufactured so our hospitals rely on every donation.”

Maddocks, chief of staff elect for The James Comprehensive Cancer Center and medical director of infusion, said donations help increase the chances of survival for ptients.

Other blood drives taking place through the university include:

In order to donate blood, donors need to bring identification. to view all the blood drives, or schedule an appointment, click here. To get ahead, fill out the health history questionnaire can be completed online ahead of the appointment, but walk-ins are also accepted. Donors will receive free parking vouchers for the drives.

OSU and Michigan take to the football field on Nov. 30, 2024.