A New Causeway Tradition has Risen

A bitter rivalry has taken a new twist this year between UC Davis and Sacramento State.

Both schools are commonly seen trying to beat one another on the gridiron, but now a new playing field will be added to the challenge.

This year marks the first Causeway Classic Blood Drive, sponsored by Bloodsource.

The competing schools will try to see who can register the most Bloodsource blood donors, and the winner will be awarded a trophy at each year’s Causeway Classic football game.

This year will mark the start to an annual competition between the two schools.

Project Director, Kate Blake, has seen firsthand how enthusiastic students from their respective schools can get about donating blood.

"The best thing about this blood drive is how energized the students are about helping others," Blake said in a press release. "I think it will only get better every year."

Blake has seen the large amount of students coming out to donate blood firsthand as she patrolled the University Union Ballroom in the blood drive’s second day. Blake said that the numbers have more than tripled compared to years past.

“We’ve had a fabulous turnout this year. We’ve had a huge amount of participation from all the social groups on campus,” Blake said.

In the second day of a four day Bloodsource tour of Sac State, the University Union Ballroom was nearing it's 1,700 capacity with students, faculty and Bloodsource workers all combining to aid the blood drive in any way they could.

Patty Rouen has been working for Bloodsource for the past 13 years and believes that students should donate blood because an individual’s donation can help multiple types of injuries.

“There are many, many patients that need blood in the hospitals,” Rouen said. “Your blood donation helps more than one person.”

From students who were donating for their first time to those who have been donating for years, each student has their own reason for donating blood.

Caitie Gardner, a second year communications major, donated blood for her first time and admits the waiting process made her a bit nervous.

“I feel like I should donate blood because you can save up to three people’s lives by donating,” Gardner said.

Erin Lewis is a Sac State student who has donated blood multiple times, and is surprised by the turnout.

“I always give blood…I’ve been giving blood for a couple of years, so I figured I’d come here to do it too,” Lewis said.

Brooke Vinaten believes it’s a calling for her to donate blood because of her specific blood type.
Vinaten donated blood alongside one of her friends on the second day of the blood drive.

“I figure it’s a good way to give blood…I’m a rare blood type so it’s a good reason why I want to do it,” Vinaten said.

The blood drive will continue for two more days on the Sac State campus, Bloodsource will return on Nov. 3 and 5 to register and collect donations from individuals interested in donating.