The annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive is celebrating its 40th anniversary in hopes of beating Clemson University in donation numbers.
The week-long event is held before USC's rivalry game against Clemson, offering both schools a chance to showcase school spirit and friendly competition while supporting the critical need for blood donations. In the spirit of the anniversary, the blood drive’s committee is finding more incentives for students to donate.
Unlike in previous years, the drive is taking place the same week as Tiger Burn which helps to drive the competitive nature of the event. In addition, all donors will be entered for a chance to win a prize.
As advertised on their Instagram, the committee has set aside multiple prizes including wristbands, a football signed by head coach Shane Beamer, hats signed by the club hockey team, a $25 gift card to one of five possible businesses, a Bull Street Garage parking pass and more.
The Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive committee itself is made up of multiple students. For the committee’s president Maggie Johnson, a fourth-year neuroscience student, leading the drive is the best way she can contribute to the cause.
“I can't donate blood myself, which is kind of ironic for being the president of blood drive, but I wanted to be able to make my difference however I could,” Johnson said. “Being able to make a difference in a less direct way and being able to take that organizational side makes me know that I'm making a difference somehow.”
This annual blood drive has a different draw to it than donating to the American Red Cross directly. Johnson has found they get more donations because of the Clemson rivalry and competitive spirit. In addition to saving lives, donors can say that they are attempting to beat Clemson.
“I think it is an appropriate amount of heated to both fuel the rivalry and save lives,” Johnson said. “If we're ever trying to find donors, we're like, ‘Hey, do you want to beat Clemson?’ and then it's almost a surefire way to get them to donate.”
Despite competing against Clemson, much of the competition is dependent on maintaining good communication with their opponent’s organization, the Clemson University Blood Bowl. Both committees are contracted to work the same number of hours to prevent cheating. Clemson's committee also helps provide tickets for the USC's executive members on the committee to announce the winner at the game.
With Clemson University hosting the game this year, the winner is determined by which school has a higher percentage of donors. Clemson prefers this method due to their smaller campus population. When USC hosts, the winner is determined by the number of pints donated. Either of these parameters are selected to get more accurate numbers than amount of people donating, as not every bag of blood donated is able to be used.
“I think this is our opportunity to not tie the score up, but get the score a little closer,” Johnson said. “We haven't won since 2017 ... but I think we have a good chance. People seem to have a lot more hype for it than previous years, and I'm good with that.”
For some students on the committee, the rivalry isn’t the only reason to help out. Organizing the event has allowed students to find new ways to help others. Second-year biological sciences student Alexandra Zotos has aided in blood drives before but is taking on a new role as the public relations chair on this year’s committee.
“I like doing something that I'm really passionate about like the blood drive, but also I really like how I could do something that's not closely related to my major like public relations (and) posting graphics,” Zotos said. “I like that change.”
After serving on Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive’s freshman committee last year, Zotos said she has been able to help bring awareness to the student organization and encourage other students to donate. As a Kappa Delta, she has also made an effort to encourage Greek communities to participate, she said.
“I think if we do get Greek life, I think we really do have a good shot at beating them, because that's how they get most of their blood donations,” Zotos said.
Donors have already gathered outside of Russell House as soon as Monday morning. Fourth-year biology student Anthony Maione pushed past his nerves and donated blood for the first time.
“Honestly, it's an assignment for class, but I have always wanted to donate blood,” Maione said. “I just get nervous that I’m going to faint or pass out.”
The event has prompted other community members to join in. Retired school teacher and USC alumna Rosanna McClain also donated blood Monday morning. She likes to keep up with events occurring at the university, she said.
“The community needs it,” McClain said. “Sick children, sick adults, people that are having treatments ... It's the right thing to do.”
The winner of the drive will be announced during South Carolina's game at Clemson on Nov. 30.