“Challenge on 74” blood drive begins Tuesday

Posted on January 27, 2015

Illinois State and Bradley are competing to get the most blood donations from Tuesday-Thursday. (WJBC file photo)

By Joe Ragusa

NORMAL – Illinois State and Bradley are using their rivalry to help the Red Cross build up blood donations. This year's "Challenge on 74" blood drive starts Tuesday.

Spokesman Ben Corey said the challenge is part of the Red Cross' "We Challenge U" program, where college students are encouraged to help spread the word about the need for blood donations.

"Whichever school collects the highest percentage of its total three-day collection goal wins all-important bragging rights for the year," Corey said. "It's just a really fun way for students at both universities to give back during the winter months, when blood donations tend to decline."

Since 2011, the Red Cross has collected 1,200 units of blood in the "Challenge on 74" drive. Illinois State won the challenge in 2014, but Corey said the results go back and forth.

You can help ISU win the challenge by donating blood between the hours of 11 a.m and 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the ISU Bowling and Billards Center, 100 N. University St. in Normal, and then at Watterson Towers at North and Fell in Normal on Thursday. You can donate blood for Bradley at the Markin Center in Peoria.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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