Fighting Sickle Cell priority during MTSU-WKU ‘Bleed True Blue’ annual blood drive competition Sept. 9-11

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Blue Raiders and Hilltoppers’ rivalry returns as Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University compete during the annual fall blood drive, a friendly competition to see which campus community can rally the most lifesaving donations. The 100 Miles of Hope American Red Cross Blood Drive will be hosted in the Campus Recreation Center gymnasium from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, Sept. 9-11, at 1848 Blue Raider Drive. This event is open to the public. “One time sitting in a chair for about 45 minutes or so can make the difference between life and death,” said Ray Wiley, Campus Recreation associate director of facilities and longtime Red Cross volunteer. “We really want to encourage people to give.” MTSU’s aims to reach 465 total donations, which requires at least 155 units a day, said Gene Baker, American Red Cross senior account manager for donor resources. In 2023, MTSU collected 451 units, but was nipped by three units as WKU collected 454 units — the universities’ closest blood drive in history. When the MTSU community comes together to donate blood, it helps solve a nationwide need. Blood has a 42-day shelf life, and the United...