Plates full of cookies and jugs of juice were placed on a table in the Bailey Hall lounge Monday.

Red and blue lawn chairs were strategically placed around the rest of the room as American Red Cross workers in white lab coats patiently waited for students to come in and donate blood.

The ninth annual MSU-Penn State Blood Challenge began Monday and will run until Nov. 18 with locations across campus and the Red Cross Donor Room, 1800 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing.

“Defending Our Title, Defending the Blood Supply” is sponsored by ASMSU, Residence Halls Association, Capital Area Transportation Authority and Case Hall student government. ASMSU is MSU’s undergraduate student government.

“It’s a good way to have the whole student body make an impact,” said David Bosman, the challenge’s chairman.

Last year, the challenge collected 1,548 pints of blood, beating the Nittany Lions for the third time in the history of the eight-year blood drive.

“The only way to get blood is from the human body,” the political theory senior said. “We’re always collecting because we have to.”

Bosman said the challenge was sparked when Penn State University joined the Big Ten because both schools have similar student populations.

Chemistry senior Elizabeth Russell said students are donating blood because they want to.

“It’s to save people’s lives,” he said. “And we’re going to beat Penn State.”

Russell said the challenge allows easier access to a number of locations where students can give blood.

“We were putting on the blood drive, so I thought I would support it by donating,” the Bailey Hall mentor said. “I get nervous, but it’s really not that bad.”

But civil engineering freshman John Pryce said he’s not afraid of needles.

“I usually come and give blood as often as I can,” he said. “I’m ready to give more blood.”