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Oregon Universities' Blood Feud At A Draw

Brian Bull

A blood-fueled battle between two major Oregon universities is underway.  However, as KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, this civil war will do more good than harm.  

Inside the University of Oregon’s Erb Memorial Union, technicians cleanse students’ arms before drawing blood. While this year’s blood drive started two weeks ago, the big push is on this week to outdo Oregon State University’s donor rate. 

Credit Brian Bull
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KLCC
Freshly-filled blood bag.

Casey Zerbe is one of the event coordinators.  She says both schools have seven wins under their belt, making this year’s “civil war” a tie-breaker.

“The Ducks did win last year so we’re trying to keep the trophy,” says Zerbe. “There’s a lot of students who’ve been really pitching in,  to get their friends and classmates  to come down and donate, so there’s a lot of people who are putting their very best effort into this event.”

Credit Brian Bull
Casey Zerbe, one of the coordinators for the Civil War blood drive event.

Nearly 100,000 donors have given blood since the event began fourteen years ago.  The holiday season sees a higher need for blood, given trickier driving conditions and accidents brought on by inclement weather.

Donors can win tickets to the civil war football game on November 26th, where the Ducks and Beavers square off. 

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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