EWU Ties for First in ‘Blood Cup’ Competition

EWU has something spooky to celebrate after tying for first place in the inaugural Blood Cup, a Halloween-themed, blood-donation competition among four Spokane-area universities.

Held Oct. 21, the American Red Cross-sponsored competition brought together students, faculty and staff from EWU, Gonzaga University, Whitworth University and WSU’s Spokane campus to help support the community’s need for blood donations.

EWU and Gonzaga tied for first place with 32 units of blood collected. Whitworth followed with 28 units, while WSU Spokane participants donated 25. Together, the universities collected well above the Red Cross’s minimum goal of 25 units per blood drive, making the competition a success for everyone involved.

Every donation, competition organizers say, has the potential to make a difference for patients who rely on blood transfusions during medical emergencies, surgeries and other treatments.

Summer Warfield, EWU’s emergency management coordinator, said she and the other organizers were pleasantly surprised by the tie. EWU also had 10 potential donations deferred because of potentially disqualifying factors such as weight, recent travel or blood pressure. Despite that, the university still finished at the top of the competition.

The unexpected tie also inspired organizers to rethink the competition’s awards. In the future, each winning school will receive a plaque, while a larger traveling trophy will be housed at the Red Cross office and engraved with the winning school’s name each year.

Following the success of the inaugural competition, organizers are already planning to bring the Blood Cup back next year, with hopes of expanding participation to include community colleges.

*Story by Cara Peterson.