For the 10th consecutive year, UTM beat rival Murray State in the annual “Blood Battle,” a blood drive competition set up to increase blood donation awareness, and to boost regional blood supply.

UTM had a total of 340 students give a pint of blood in the drive for Lifeline, compared to Murray State’s 179. Martin almost doubled Murray’s participantation. On the first day of collection, there were over 161 UTM students donated, with 93 deferrals. On the second day there were 179 participants and 79 deferrals. “Deferrals” refer to students whose blood was rejected as being “unattainable.” This year seemed to be much bigger then last year but also had a lot more deferrals. “The results were fabulous,” commented, Steve Vantrease, Director of the UC, “The lines stayed at a steady pace for both days and had one of the biggest turn-out.” Last year UTM had 343 participants but had only 102 deferrals compared to this year having 172 deferrals.

The Blood Battle serves the blood collection efforts of the West Tennessee Regional Blood Center and the West Kentucky Blood Center. Both of these entities are non-profit private corporations that serve their respective geographic regions by providing blood and blood products to the hospitals in their service areas. Lifeline is the official supplier of blood to many West Tennessee hospitals, including Volunteer Community Hospital in Martin.

If you happened to miss being in this battle and still wish to donate your blood. Lifeline blood van parks at E.W. James in Martin, the second Monday of each month from 12 noon until 6 p.m. with registration set up inside the store.