Wayne State University Athletics

General 12/19/2025 8:57:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

WSU Sports Medicine Partners With American Red Cross for Fourth Annual I-96 Blood Battle

DETROIT -- The Sports Medicine Department of Wayne State University Athletics will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Wednesday Feb. 4, 2026, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Wayne State Fieldhouse. This blood drive launches the Fourth Annual I-96 Blood Battle, a blood drive competition with Davenport University, which culminates in a trophy presentation during the basketball games between the two schools. This year's trophy presentation will be held on Feb. 5, when the Panthers visit the Warriors in Detroit (women tip-off at 5:30 pm, and men tip-off at 7:30 pm).

WSU won the Blood Battle trophy the first two years, before DU prevailed in 2025. It has been a close contest each year, with the winning school being determined by only one or two donors, so every donation counts! Only donations made on Feb. 4th at the Wayne State Fieldhouse will be counted for WSU towards the trophy. For those interested in supporting Wayne State, schedule your donation by clicking here. You must use sponsor code WSU.

Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer blood donors. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished, according to the Red Cross. "A single blood donation can save up to 3 lives," Head Athletic Trainer Lisa Erickson said. "What better use of an hour of your time, than to use it to save a life?"

The WSU Sports Medicine Department urges students, staff, faculty and community members to come donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs. Assistant Athletic Trainer Lydia Lee also encourages everyone to donate blood because "donating blood gives benefits to the donor, not just the recipient. It can improve the donor's heart health by lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and improving circulation."

Assistant Athletic Trainer Keegan Gawelek also notes that "blood availability is a good metric for grading the effectiveness of our health systems - blood donations are an essential part of providing quality healthcare, especially emergency care."

According to the Red Cross, donors with all blood types are needed, but especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative. "Someone out there is your type and needs a blood donation to save their life," said Assistant Athletic Trainer Taylor Cutajar. "Do a good thing and go donate."

For more information, please contact Lisa Erickson at lisa.erickson3@wayne.edu.

I-96 Blood Battle blood drive:
Feb. 4, 2026: 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wayne State Fieldhouse
1290 West Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202

2022-23 Blood Battle Recap
2023-24 Blood Battle Recap
2024-25 Blood Battle Recap

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