With the score tied at one each, SIUC and Eastern Illinois University will fight like cats and Dawgs to claim the title of Blood Battle victor this week, says the area blood drive coordinator.

In what has become an annual skirmish for bragging rights, SIUC and the American Red Cross will hold a six-day blood drive as the University attempts to go one ahead of blood-collection rival Eastern Illinois University.

Vivian Ugent, regional American Red Cross blood drive coordinator, said this drive is crucial as the need for blood increases nationwide.

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With all the storms back east recently, a need for blood makes drives such as this very important, Ugent said. There is a national emergency in response to the extreme weather; 43 regions nationally have been shut down because of all the problems.

Last year, SIUC came back on the last day of the drive to beat Eastern with a collection of 1,276 pints to Eastern’s1,210, Ugent said.

We would like to see more of everybody come out and donate, Ugent said. We have added Trueblood Hall as a collection point, so students and faculty have another convenient location to donate.

Persons wanting to donate can sign up for an appointment in the Hall of Fame area of the Student Center or show up on a first-come, first-serve basis at any of the locations listed.

Donors will be given a mini-physical to screen for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis. Donors whose blood tests positive for any diseases will be notified confidentially.

Refreshments, a T-shirt and five-dollar Taco John’s gift certificate will be given to all donors.

Carl Berry, Boomer Hall head resident and University Park drive coordinator, said bringing the drive to Trueblood Hall has many benefits for donors and volunteers alike.

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This is a convenient way for people to do something good for the community, he said. The other housing areas have made space available for the drives and I just realized the Trueblood would work if people missed the other locations.

Those wanting to volunteer can contact Ugent at 457-5258. Help is needed for blood buddies, refreshment servers and registering appointments.

This is an opportunity to give the real gift from the heart for Valentine’s Day, Ugent said. There are a wide variety of dates and times, so everyone will have the opportunity to donate.

The drive is being sponsored by the Saluki Volunteer Corps, the Daily Egyptian, American Red Cross, the Student Center Dining Service, Taco John’s and the Public Relations Student Society of America.