11:46 a.m., Nov. 12, 2008----Blood donors save lives, and until 8 p.m. this evening members of the University of Delaware community can stop by the Multipurpose Rooms of the Trabant University Center to help UD regain first place in the annual Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Blood Challenge.

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The CAA Blood Challenge represents the biggest donor day of the year for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, which has more than 150 staff members on hand to register donors and process blood donations.

“Our goal is to receive 900 blood donations today. We literally close all of our centers and send all of our staff to UD,” Carrie Aiken, spokesperson for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, said. “We get so much support from the University all year long, and today we have a lot of volunteers from the University who come out to help us.”

When the doors to the Multipurpose Rooms opened at 7:30 a.m., members of the UD community had already been waiting to participate in this year's event.

“I always come here because it is such a good cause,” Edgar Johnson, director of athletics, said. “The athletic department also likes the competition, and we want to help UD bring back the title.”

For UD Head Football Coach K.C. Keeler, today marks the seventh time he has participated in the CAA Blood Challenge, an event he said has grown steadily since its inception in 2002.

“I think that it is important that the leadership of the University steps up and does these kind of things,” Keeler said. “We realize that if we don't step up, there will be a crisis. I encourage everyone to come out. It doesn't take that long, it's fun, and it's a great cause.”

Ted Kempski, associate professor in the intercollegiate athletics program, also has participated in each of the seven CAA Blood Challenges.

“I give blood whenever I can, and since the CAA Blood Challenge started, I mark this event on my calendar,” Kempski said. “I'm really happy that the University and the Blood Bank of Delmarva partner up to do this, and I'm pleased to be a part of it.”

Ellen Porter, a junior visual communications major, said that she also makes it a point to give blood whenever she can. “It's pretty easy to do, and you know it makes a big difference. You also get a free T-shirt and great cookies.”

Whitney Conroy, a senior in hotel, restaurant and institutional management, said “I do it because of the need, and I hope that if I or someone in my family would need blood there would be people to help by making blood donations.”

Joining YoUDee, the University's award-winning mascot, and Delmar, the mascot for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, were members of the UD Cheerleading Team, including Rob Ellery, a junior sports management major, Jessica Johnson, a junior health behavior sciences major, and Lauren Crawford, a junior elementary education major.

“We love being here, and we do it every year,” Crawford said. “We like to walk around and put a smile on the faces of people while they participate in a great cause.”

Christina Albaladjo, assistant supervisor for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, said it is exciting to see so many people participating at the CAA Blood Challenge at UD.

“I like the interaction with donors, especially with the young people who donate blood and support the event,” Albaladjo said. “This is really a fun event, and every unit of blood donated can save three lives.”

Over the past six years, a total of 14,096 units of blood have been donated by the schools competing in the CAA Blood Challenge, which has helped to save 42,288 lives.

“The response we get from the University community is inspiring,” Aiken said. “It a great way to save lives and have a good time and feel good about the whole thing when you leave.”

The CAA Blood Challenge continues until 8 p.m., and all students, faculty, staff and members of the UD community are encouraged to participate.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Ambre Alexander