MT-WKU Blood Drive set for November

MURFREESBORO - Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky will continue their nearly century-old football rivalry in Bowling Green, Friday, Nov. 17. However, another rivalry between the two Conference USA schools will also share the spotlight that week. It's the Bleed BLUE to Beat WKU Blood Drive.

The Blue Raiders and the Hilltoppers have played each other in football 66 times, with MT holding a slight 34-31-1 edge. But the two schools will go head-to-head for the seventh time in a competitive blood drive for the American Red Cross. This year's hashtag is #BleedTrueBlue.

Middle Tennessee won the inaugural drive in 2010, when Blue Raider Director of Athletics Chris Massaro initiated this great event. MTSU also took the title in 2011, 2014 and 2015.

Diane C. Turnham, senior associate director of athletics for the Blue Raiders and Ray Wiley, associate director of campus recreation, will spearhead the drive locally. And while they all know that the competitive drive between the two schools is intense, they say the real winner is the Red Cross and our respective communities. The blood collected at each drive stays in each respective community.

MTSU knows firsthand the importance of giving blood. Two former students would not be here today if not for the lifesaving donations here in Rutherford County. One of those is former Blue Raider football player Shane Blissard.
In 2011, Blissard a senior receiver, caught a pass during a spring scrimmage near the sideline and then was sandwiched by two tacklers — one of which darted their helmet into his left rib. It was a clean hit, but the direct blow ruptured Blissard's spleen, fractured his rib, bruised his kidney and created a condition called Pneumothorax, when air collects in the pleural cavity between the lungs and the chest wall.

His ruptured spleen spewed 3 1/2 liters of blood into his belly, about two-thirds of the total amount of blood in his body. Another damaged blood vessel caused Blissard to lose three more liters of blood and triggered a second surgery early the next morning. He required over 14 units of blood.

Additionally, Ms. Danielle Boyd-Garrett understands and encourages everyone to donate blood to save lives. She is a former student that worked in Campus Recreation and was diagnosed with a blood disorder that has required her to have multiple blood transfusions. She is alive today because of caring individuals who donated blood.

"Giving life, that's what it is all about," Turnham acknowledged. "While it is always great to compete against Western on the field, it is also very rewarding to help others in our own community. Each donation can save up to three lives."

The blood drive will be held on both campuses prior to the football game. The Middle Tennessee drive will be held on Nov. 13-15 in the Campus Rec Gym and Basketball Courts, and parking will be reserved for off campus blood donors.

Turnham also noted that donation appointments can be made online to avoid waiting. Middle Tennessee supporters can visit www.redcrossblood.org for details to register for an appointment to donate.
Additionally, a Fast Pass is a great feature that started last year which will allow donors to speed up the donating process by answering preliminary questions online the morning they are scheduled to donate.
All participants will receive a free tee-shirt while supplies last.

The drive is open to all Middle Tennessee students, administrators, faculty, staff and alumni. Turnham also invited everyone in Murfreesboro and surrounding communities to give blood. Let's all step up to be True Blue and Bleed Blue to Beat WKU.

To sign up now follow these easy steps:
You can go online now to recruit donors and manage your appointment schedule. It's easy and we are here to help every step of the way. Just follow the instructions below to get started and contact Gene Baker at 6153306514 if you have any questions or need support.

Blood Drive Information
Please review the following information :
Date :	11/13/2017
Start Time :	10:00 AM
End Time :	06:00 PM
Where :	Middle Tennessee State University

Address :	Campus Recreation Center , Murfreesboro, TN 37132
Manage your blood drive online!
Log In :	Access your online scheduling account
	Click on the link above to access the Red Cross Online Scheduling System. If you are a returning user, please click on the button in the Blood Drive Coordinator section and enter your user name and password in the login box. If you do not know your login information, please click on the "Forgot Username and Password" link and enter your email address in the field provided. If you need additional assistance, please contact your Red Cross Account Representative or visit the online help section of our website.
Recruit Donors :	1. Click on the Email Donors link.
	2. Review the selection criteria.
	3. Follow the instructions.
	Note: If you are a first-time user, you may need to add donors online, or use your desktop email to distribute an invitation.
Manage Donors :	1. Add new donors.
	2. Search for existing donors.
	3. Edit donor information.
Manage Appointments :	1. Make a new donor appointment.
	2. Edit or cancel existing appointments.
	3. Print out an appointment schedule. To Volunteer please go to: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GjAetmkQh_ohgQZpaFNJluQShUQc4YxJhmX5wF1S4yw/edit?usp=sharing?

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics

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