Oklahoma State University Athletics
OSU Hosts Bedlam Blood Drive
January 28, 2011 | General
Jan. 28, 2011
Jan. 10, 2011 ─ Stillwater-area residents can team up to save lives in an Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) Bedlam Blood Drive, hosted by Oklahoma State University (OSU). Anyone, 16 years or older and in good health, is encouraged to donate*. The drive will be held Monday through Friday, Jan. 31 - Feb. 4, on Library Lawn from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at the Kerr-Drummond Residence Halls from noon to 6 p.m.
Each donor can register to win a pair of tickets to the 2011 Bedlam Men's Basketball Game in Stillwater** and an opportunity to win one of five basketballs autographed by Men's Basketball Coach Travis Ford.
This marks the second Bedlam Blood Battle, a blood drive competition held on the two major college campuses simultaneously. Oklahoma Blood Institute has partnered with OSU and Cowboy Sports Properties as an Associate Sponsor of the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Bedlam Series.
"I am thrilled Oklahoma State University is involved with Oklahoma Blood Institute in this life-saving effort," said OSU President Burns Hargis. "I encourage all Cowboy faithful who are able to do their part to not only donate blood to help others but to ensure another OSU victory in the Bedlam Blood Drive."
The inaugural Bedlam Blood Battle was held Nov. 15 - 19 with some 1,256 Cowboys giving blood topping the University of Oklahoma's 1,168 donors. As the leader of the state's blood center noted, though, everyone is a winner in this effort.
"The Bedlam Blood Battle is a great opportunity for blood donors to show their school spirit." said Dr. John Armitage, OBI President and CEO. "It is also a way to show the best in community spirit by saving lives. And that is the real win."
Free food and giveaways from Pizza Hut Pizza, Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings and McDonalds will be available throughout the week. Each donor will have the opportunity to choose beanie caps, fleece gloves or a Bedlam T-shirt. All donors can register to win an iPod Kicker speaker dock, Kicker ear buds, or a Buffalo Wild Wings table-gate package.
Oklahoma Blood Institute is the twelfth largest non-profit blood center in America. In 2009, more than 140,000 donors provided blood used for transfusion and associated clinical services through OBI. Nearly 700 Oklahomans are employed by OBI, which works with an estimated 800 volunteers and 2,600 drive coordinators. To learn more about OBI's 11 donor centers or mobile blood drives across Oklahoma, or to donate, visit OBI at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777.
Cowboy Sports Properties is a property of Learfield Sports, which manages the multimedia rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations. In addition to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, Learfield Sports represents other Big 12 member schools Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State, Missouri, Texas A&M and Texas Tech. The Dallas-based company also titles the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup, oversees marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA) and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations nationwide. Learfield Sports is an operating unit of Jefferson City, Mo.-based Learfield Communications, Inc. For additional information on the company and its collegiate portfolio, visit learfieldsports.com.
* 16 year olds must weigh at least 125 and provide signed parental permission, 17 year olds must weigh at least 125 pounds, 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds.
**Blood donation is voluntary, and no contribution, donation, purchase or payment is necessary to enter the prize drawing. OBI blood donors at the designated OSU Bedlam Blood Battle blood drives can enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to a 2011 Bedlam Men's Basketball Game on Saturday, February 5 in Stillwater, OK.
