“During the summer, everyone’s on vacation. Everybody has different plans. Their work schedules might be different,” Red Cross donor recruiter Elizabeth Ciolek said. “We just need everyone to come out all the time, all year round.”

The college that collects the most units of blood will get to boast to the other until next year’s face off. In the end though, both colleges are winners because each person that donates blood can save up to three lives.

Ciolek said most of the donors at Wednesday’s blood drives were students and staff in the buildings where the drives took place, and it’s important to spread the word so more members of the public participate.

“You never know if you’re going to need it, if a loved one is going to need it,” she said. “If you know someone who’s needed blood in the past or a blood product, then you know the importance of someone giving their time without any motivation at all to help your loved one’s life.”

Although it has been attempted for years, human blood still is not able to be manufactured, making blood donations a crucial resource, Ciolek said.

“If you haven’t (donated before), come in and donate. They’ll set you up with whatever you’re comfortable with doing and whatever procedure that your blood type is needed the most for,” she said.

Bridget Howard, a graduate student in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, was waiting to give for the ninth time.

“It’s important for doctors to give blood because we’re going to need it for so many of our patients,” she said. “We’re going to want to have that blood available to us.”

Howard said the competition between the two colleges stimulates a sense of school pride among her and her classmates.

The Red Cross has been working to increase blood donations through promotions and raffles. For the months of June, July and August, anyone who donates blood in the Great Lakes region will be eligible to win a $500 Best Buy gift card, a $250 Meijer gift card and a $125 Meijer gas card.

Animal science junior Lauren Kerber said she tries to donate whenever she’s eligible.

“If someone was to die with my blood type because they … needed blood and didn’t get any, I’d feel responsible,” she said.

According to the Red Cross website, whole blood can be donated every 56 days, plasma every 28 days and platelets every seven days.

MSU alumna Delores Rabideau is a participant of MSU’s Vetward Bound program. Rabideau donated at the College of Veterinary Medicine to support her future college as well as those in need of blood.

“I can always give some, and someone could always use some,” she said. “I don’t think (donating) is too much of a sacrifice, and it’s only a little bit of time. To think about all the people you could be helping. If you don’t, you’ll never know.”