For the past 30 years, the passionate South Carolina-Clemson rivalry has extended beyond the football field and into philanthropic domain with the annual South Carolina-Clemson blood drive competition. This year, for the 31st annual blood drive contest, South Carolina took home the gold — for the eighth year in a row.
The blood drive competition ran from Monday, Nov. 16 until Friday, Nov. 20. Students could give blood with no appointment necessary in various locations across campus, including Russell House, Greek Village, Blatt P.E. Center and the Colonial Life Arena. This year’s competition resulted in 6,217 donations with South Carolina supporters totaling 3,554 and Clemson, 2,663.
Students who participated in the blood drive took home a T-shirt and were given free refreshments after donating. However, according to Krystal Overmyer, external communications manager for the SC American Red Cross, the most meaningful reward is knowing that many lives will be forever changed by each donation.
“The real win is the number of lives potentially saved by the generosity of students, faculty, staff and fans,” Overmyer said. “Each pint of blood collected can help save up to three lives, so the impact of this blood drive is great.”
A South Carolina student committee has been planning and preparing for the blood drive since the beginning of the year. Five different committees split up responsibilities such as volunteer sign-ups, food and prize donations and promotion / social media. Nina Johnnie, president of this year's blood drive, said that with the holidays approaching and the recent flooding in Columbia, the blood drive was more important than ever.
“With the holidays coming up blood donations are really in high demand,” Johnnie said. “This year we had the flooding as well, and the American Red Cross actually lost hundreds of units of blood because of it, so this year we really wanted to do our best to get as many people as possible out to donate.”
USC will be awarded the blood drive trophy during the South Carolina-Clemson football game on Saturday, Nov. 28 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Eligible donors who missed the cut off but would still like to give blood are able to do so at the American Red Cross donation center at 2751 Bull St.
“Students make up to 20 percent of the donor base, so they play an incredible role in helping patients here in our backyard and across the country,” Overmyer said. “We encourage students to give blood at the annual drive but also at blood drives throughout the year. The need for blood is constant, and giving blood is one simple way students can make a difference in the community.”