Media Center

Ohio State defends Blood Battle title
Michigan defeated on and off the field for past four years

October 31, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio – This year, The Ohio State University could win its fifth consecutive double victory in a row over Michigan by winning both the football game and Blood Battle.

Partnering with the American Red Cross Blood Services, the two rival schools launched an annual friendly competition called Blood Battle 27 years ago. Students and fans get to show their school spirit while boosting the supply of lifesaving blood products for patients by donating with the Red Cross. This year’s Blood Battle runs Nov. 3 to 21, and the winner will be announced Nov. 22 at halftime during the OSU-Michigan football game.

Blood Battle drives provide vital support for patients. These drives generate thousands of pints of donated blood every year. This provides an important boost for the blood supply as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches and donors get busier and less likely to give.

You might just help save a life like Ethan Sharver’s.

“He had been sick on and off for two-and-a-half months … He just couldn’t shake it,” said Ethan’s dad, John.

At an urgent care clinic one Saturday, the results of his blood work were so alarming he was sent to Children’s Hospital immediately. Further tests confirmed on Monday that Ethan had leukemia. Treatment started right away.

“We never thought this would happen to our family,” said his mom, Jennifer. “You never know when you’re going to need blood.”

John estimates Ethan has received 20 to 30 transfusions altogether. At one point, he was getting two transfusions of platelets a day.

“As parents, we’ve seen the need on a daily basis,” Jennifer said. “Every time we go to the hospital, there’s a child there receiving blood products.”

“We are happy to report that our friend Ethan is in remission,” said Nicole Baird, a spokesperson for the Central Ohio Blood Services Region. “Many others like Ethan continue to need potentially lifesaving blood from volunteer donors. Please sign up today to do your part by making an appointment to donate."

04/07AP133

Media contacts

Central Ohio
Blood Services

(614) 253-2740
1-800-338-8086

Rodney J. Wilson
Communications Manager
extension 2347
e-mail

Heather Reichle
Communications Specialist
extension 2275
e-mail

Other Red Cross
lines of service
You can find your local
Red Cross chapter by
searching on redcross.org
or by checking the white
pages of your local phone
directory.

National
media inquiries
Click here for listings