UTC and Blood Assurance Team Up for Super Mario-themed Bloodanooga Blood Drive

Graphic Courtesy of UTC & Blood Assurance

In The Know with Gino…

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) community is gearing up for a heroic quest as they join forces with Blood Assurance to host the semi-annual Bloodanooga blood drive. The event, themed around the beloved video game character Super Mario, aims to rally support for local hospital patients in need of life-saving blood donations.

Scheduled for April 1st-2nd, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., inside the University Center Tennessee Room, the two-day blood drive is open to all university students, faculty, staff, and the general public.

Expressing gratitude for the ongoing support from the UTC community, Dr. Liz Culler, Chief Executive Officer for Blood Assurance, emphasized the vital role that student and staff donors play in saving lives. “It is crucial for healthy students to answer the call to give blood, especially knowing their donation is directly impacting people right here in Chattanooga,” Dr. Culler remarked.

Since its inception in 2011, Bloodanooga has collected nearly 8,000 units of blood. The organizers are setting their sights high for this event, aiming to secure at least 150 donors each day. To incentivize participation, Blood Assurance will be rewarding each blood donor with a commemorative Super Mario Bloodanooga t-shirt. Additionally, donors will be entered into a draw to win a Nintendo Switch. Free food and drinks will also be provided to donors as well!

Prospective donors are encouraged to walk in at their convenience, with no appointment necessary. To be eligible, individuals must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more, and be in good health. Donors are advised to hydrate well and consume a hearty meal before donating.

Blood Assurance, a nonprofit full-service regional blood center, serves over 70 healthcare facilities across Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Established in 1972, Blood Assurance’s mission is to ensure a safe and sufficient blood supply for every patient in need across the region.

The upcoming Bloodanooga blood drive not only offers an opportunity for the UTC community to come together in support of a worthy cause but also underscores the power of collective action in saving lives.

For more information about the Bloodanooga blood drive, visit the Blood Assurance website or contact the UTC Office of Student Engagement. Let’s level up and be heroes together!

SOURCE: Blood Assurance