Eastern to Participate in ‘Blood Cup’

Want to help Eastern Washington University win the blood drive competition while saving lives? 

EWU will join a friendly competition against three other Spokane-area universities in the inaugural Blood Cup, a one-day, American Red Cross-sponsored blood donation event on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The Halloween-adjacent competition promises support for a great cause while offering opportunities for campus bragging rights. 

Gonzaga University, Whitworth University, and Washington State University Spokane will provide Eastern’s competition for the cup. The winner will be determined by the amount of blood donated from each school. Eagles looking to help secure an EWU victory can give blood from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the third-floor conference room of the Pence Union Building 

Summer Warfield, EWU’s emergency management coordinator, is helping to organize Eastern’s participation in this year’s Blood Cup. Warfield, who also serves on the board of directors of the Greater Inland Northwest American Red Cross, hopes the event will encourage local campus communities to come together to boost blood donations. “This is such a minor thing that they do for a limited amount of time that can literally save somebody’s life and make a huge impact,” Warfield says.   

The event comes as the Red Cross faces a national blood supply crisis, making community donations especially important. From a mother who needs a transfusion during childbirth, to a college student injured in a car accident, Warfield says blood donations can make a life-saving difference. 

Donors can use the American Red Cross app to track their donations and see where and when their blood has been delivered and administered. Participants can also look forward to snacks and drinks to be provided during the process, along with a $10 gift card presented after donating. 

For those who feel nervous about the process, Warfield says staff will be on hand to walk donors through the process. Those unable to donate because of medical restrictions or other limitations may also be able to help out with event-day logistics. 

Interested in donating? Register through American Red Cross. Not sure if you’re eligible? Review the blood donation eligibility requirements. Unable to donate but still want to help? Email Summer Warfield at swarfield@ewu.edu 

*Story written by Cara Peterson.