The Hope College/Calvin University "Blood Battle" begins on Tuesday, Oct. 1 and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 6.

All Hope students, alumni, and fans are encouraged to show their school spirit and donate blood at a Versiti donation center or on campus.

In order for your donation to count for Hope, you must schedule an appointment and include "Dutchmen" in the notes. If there is not a note in your appointment, Versiti will not count your donation toward the battle.

Blood also can be donated on the Hope campus three times:

• Register for a Tuesday, Oct. 1 donation, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bultman Student Center;
• Register for a Monday, Oct. 21 donation, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bultman Student Center;
• Register for a Wednesday, Nov. 6, donation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bultman Student Center.

To find a donation center in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, or Wisconsin call 866-642-5663 or visit versiti.org.

The winner will be announced at the inaugural Hope-Calvin football game on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Grand Rapids Christian High School.  

Versiti Blood Center of Michigan is the local blood provider – we supply blood for many hospitals across the state. A donation with us directly impacts the lives of local patients. You may even save the life of someone you know.

All blood types are needed, with type O positive and O negative most in demand. O positive is the most common blood type, while O negative blood is the universal type that can be received safely by all patients in emergencies when the blood type is not known.

Donating blood takes about an hour and has the potential to save up to three lives.

Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.