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.
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.”
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.