Causeway Classic Blood Drive- Participation

The rivalry between Sac State and UC Davis has become downright bloody.

The two universities are holding a contest on Monday and Tuesday October 21 and 22 to see which school can donate the most blood before the 55th annual Causeway Classic.

Students and faculty joined together to donate blood in conjunction with BloodSource of Sacramento.

In conjunction with Bloodsource, one of Sac State's Public Relations classes transformed the ballroom inside Sac State’s University Union into a mini-clinic capable of drawing the blood of dozens of donors at the same time.

Waiting in line to donate, a few students said it was their first time giving blood.

“This is probably like my fifth or sixth time giving blood,” said pre-Physical Therapy major Kendra Sandeagen.

“I give blood as often as I can, because I know it saves lives,” Sandeagen said.

A young man named Jose Uribe, who was waiting in a reclining chair to give blood for the first time.

“I decided to get over my phobia (of needles) and to do it for a good cause,” said Uribe, a Construction Management major. After the 6 to 15 minutes that it takes to give a pint of blood, Uribe said that he had conquered his fear and would donate again in the future.

Some donors did not have such an easy time.

“The nurses saved me!” said Lauren Ito, a current CSUS student who almost fainted after giving blood. Nurses had to push her back into the chair and immediately give her orange juice as they monitored her closely.

Ito also said that the incident would not deter her from donating again, which was the sentiment from most donors throughout the event, even with the hour long wait.

Donors first had to fill out paperwork and talk to volunteers to make sure that they were eligible to give blood. Once cleared, they were directed to an open seat at the dozens of stations where nurses worked with 2 donors at a time.

About 15 minutes later donors were released to the snack area.

“They told me to ‘stay here (and eat) for as long as you like,’” said Long Tran, a Computer Engineering major.

For some donors it may have been about beating Davis, but for most, taking the time to donate blood was about doing something for others.

“It’s for a good cause and I felt like I should do it,” said Music major Shannon Burton.

All participants received a T-shirt, an IMAX movie theatre ticket and were entered to win various prizes including iPods and gift cards.

The winner of the Causeway Classic Blood Drive will be announced during the football game between Sac State and UC Davis at Aggie Stadium on November 8.