MU Bleeds Blue  

Millersville University is once again taking part in the Bleed Blue Challenge hosted by Lancaster General Hospital to promote an increase in community blood donations. Bleed Blue is a friendly competition between local police departments to see who can receive the most units of blood.   

The campus drive will occur on Friday, February 9 from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Student Memorial Center. Appointments are strongly recommended but walk-ins will be taken as they are available. To make an appointment, visit the LGH website: Donate Blood | Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Blood Donor Center Donor Portal (lghblooddonors.org).  Select February 9 and pick Millersville’s site for the location. There will be a schedule with available appointment times to choose from. Everyone, including community members and students, is welcome to participate.  

 The Bleed Blue Challenge aims to increase community participation to contribute to a life-saving cause. Each donor at Millersville will receive a vinyl sticker and the opportunity to win rewards such as Ware Center tickets, Evergreen Café vouchers, free oil changes, student parking in staff parking spots for a week and more.   

 Millersville University’s chief of police Pete Anders asks the community to join them in donating blood. Anders explains that “giving blood aligns with Millersville’s focus on community engagement and problem-solving. Our local hospitals and blood banks regularly face challenges with shortages of blood needed to treat patients.” Additionally, Anders offers to buy coffee for any donors with type O negative blood, the universal donor, for their contribution.

Not available on Feb. 9? You can also donate blood at the LGH main office. Pete Anders says, “If our students and community members cannot donate on campus, they can also donate in our name at any other sites. While we like the friendly competition, we mainly aim to help our local hospitals help patients.” Donors who donate to LGH are still eligible to be entered for the chance to win prizes and receive a vinyl sticker if they send a selfie from the donation center to Holly.Stockwell@Millersville.edu.   

To schedule an appointment to donate blood at LGH, visit LGhealth.org/giveblood for more information.