November 1, 2011 – The University of Oklahoma (OU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) rivalry continues in the second year of the Bedlam Blood Battle. Learfield Sports represents both schools, which will compete for the most blood donors for Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI), the state’s blood center.
The campus that can generate the largest number of blood donors will earn a trophy and bragging rights. A special week-long drive will be held on the OU and OSU campuses November 14-18, with a series of drives to be held on each campus in the spring.
Anyone who gives blood at an Oklahoma Blood Institute donor center or mobile drive through November will receive a choice of an OU or OSU donor T-shirt. Two lucky donors’ names will be drawn to each win a pair of tickets to the Dec. 3 Bedlam football game.
According to Oklahoma Blood Institute, every two seconds, someone needs blood. Donors with OBI provide every drop of blood needed by patients in more than 131 medical facilities across Oklahoma. Those who are generally healthy and age 16 or older are eligible to donate blood every 56 days.
“Without a doubt, we’re thrilled to continue the Bedlam Blood Battle this year,” said OBI President and CEO John Armitage, M.D. “Beyond the drives on OSU and OU campuses, we know many of our loyal donors with Oklahoma Blood Institute are Cowboys and Sooners’ fans. OBI gives them the chance to show their school spirit and save another person’s life, which is the ultimate win.”
The OBI relationship with OU and OSU was secured through a combined effort of Sooner Sports Properties and Cowboy Sports Properties, the schools’ respective athletic multimedia rights holders. Both are properties of Learfield Sports, which manages rights for more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations including eight Big 12 universities.
Norman-based Sooner Sports Properties and Stillwater-based Cowboy Sports Properties will work closely with the non-profit blood center to promote the respective blood drives through concentrated online and on-campus marketing efforts.
“We’re proud to partner with the Oklahoma Blood Institute and Oklahoma State in a truly life-changing initiative. I can’t think of a better use for our competitive spirit. I hope fans of both universities will turn out in large numbers to meet a critical need in our state, and, of course, I encourage Sooner fans to meet this important challenge,” said OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione.
Mike Holder, athletic director for Oklahoma State University adds, “OSU is proud to support OBI and the Bedlam Blood Drive. Our Cowgirls and Cowboys understand the need for this effort and have always responded in great numbers.”
Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, non-profit blood center in America. To learn more about OBI’s 11 donor centers or mobile blood drives across Oklahoma, or to schedule a donation, visit OBI at obi.org or call 877-340-8777.