USC and UCLA Competition Draws Blood

LOS ANGELES, CA (11/30/2007)(readMedia)-- The 1st annual Gauntlet Blood Drive, a competition blood drive between USC and UCLA, kicked off Spirit Week and had students and fans bleeding for their chosen team. The results of the blood drive are in – the Bruins triumph, collecting 185 units of blood to the Trojans 175 units.

“The fierce USC and UCLA competitive spirit was evident as the cross-town rivals squared off to draw blood and help save lives this past week,” states Cliff Numark, director of donor recruitment for the American Red Cross Southern California Blood Services Region. “I want to thank everyone for making the 1st annual Gauntlet Blood Drive a success and helping the Red Cross ensure our blood supply levels remain adequate. And, although UCLA beat USC with the most units of blood collected, the real winners are the patients in the more than 150 hospitals we serve who will benefit from the blood and blood products collected as a result of this blood drive.”

The American Red Cross Blood Services of Southern California hosted the collegiate rivalry Monday through Friday (November 26 – 30) at designated Red Cross locations on the campuses of both universities. As the school that generated the most volume of blood donations, UCLA will claim city-wide bragging rights and receive special recognition prior to kick-off of the big game Saturday (December 1).

“This fierce but good-natured competition gives USC and UCLA students and football fans a chance to root for their favorite home team by donating blood; it’s a great way to show team spirit while helping a great number of people,” explains Numark. “We wish both teams luck in Saturday’s rivalry on the football field.”