Cortaca Blood Drive Takes Place Nov. 3 and 4
11/02/2015
Before SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College play for the Cortaca jug on the football field, the two schools will compete for donations in the Cortaca Battle Blood Drive leading up to the big game.
The College’s campus blood drive event takes place Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Wednesday, Nov. 4, from noon to 6 p.m. in the Corey Union Function Room. Campus community members are asked to schedule an appointment to reduce potential waiting time, but walk-in donations are welcome. Visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or download the Red Cross donor application to schedule an appointment.
The blood donation competition between the two schools has existed for three years and it’s based on the percentage of each institution’s goal, rather than the total number of units collected. SUNY Cortland’s Code Red Club, a student group committed to community service through disaster relief, is leading the Cortaca Battle Blood Drive effort on campus in addition to all other American Red Cross blood drives during the academic year.
Last year, 105 units were collected over two days. The College’s 2015 goal is 120 units.
“One donation — just one pint — can save a life,” said Laura Connolly, a community health major from Hicksville, N.Y., and the president of Code Red. She noted the club also works to provide fundraising assistance after natural disasters and support for military members during the holiday season.
Ithaca won the inaugural Cortaca Battle Blood Drive in 2012 when it was based on the total number of blood donations. SUNY Cortland has won the past two years by reaching a higher percentage of its goal. In addition to bragging rights, a trophy from the American Red Cross is on the line.
“The competition makes it more of a fun, community-wide event,” Connolly said. “The interest to give is higher than normal because both schools want to win. But really, there aren’t any losers when you consider the need for blood donations.”
Prepared by public relations intern Brandon Romagnoli
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