UNM athletes are facing off against Mountain West Conference opponents on and off the field.
The UNM Athletics Department, along with the United Blood Services, will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the SUB Ballroom.
The drive is part of the Mountain West Conference's Rebuilding Lives initiative. It will be held at all nine MWC colleges in California, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado and Texas.
"It's a competition between our rival schools to see which school can donate the most blood," said Gary Beresford, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. "But the competition's main goal is to help people in the community, not to make it a competition between schools. We're all here to better the community. Beating all the MWC schools is always a goal - especially when they are your rivals - but it's mainly all about helping out."
Colorado State won last year's challenge, collecting 98 pints of blood.
Together, the nine MWC institutions accumulated 543 pints for the contest last year.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
"This year, (UNM is) pushing for 100 units of blood - if not more," Beresford said. "With that, we can be very competitive. We'd love to see more than 100 units, and that number is very achievable."
Students interested in donating blood can schedule an appointment by calling 843-6227 or visiting UnitedBloodServices.org and using the sponsor code UNMAthletics.
But students don't need an appointment to donate, Beresford said.
"Walk-ins are the No. 1 way to get people to come in and donate," he said. "A lot of people donate because a friend brings them. You don't necessarily have to pre-register."
Donating blood takes about 45 minutes, so students should plan accordingly, he said.
"There will be about 10 technicians available to help take blood," he said. "The lines shouldn't get too long. But if they do, waiting can save lives."
Donors will receive a music download card good for two free songs and will be entered into a drawing for a trip for two to Sedona, Ariz.
Most healthy people who are at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to give blood, according to the United Blood Services Web site. Federal regulations require donors to wait 56 days between donations.
Despite the restrictions, students are encouraged to donate blood, Lobo tennis player Mackenzie White said.
"You have the opportunity to save people's lives," she said. "There are hundreds of people every day that need blood. Whether it is a cancer patient, someone who needs emergency surgery or a car-accident victim - blood is a necessity. With just one donation, you can save three lives."
