Does your blood run orange or garnet? An opportunity to show your school colors will take place during the Regional Medical Center Blood Assurance Program’s “Rivalry Blood Drive” on Tuesday, November 22.

RMC’s Bloodmobile will be in Grove Park Pharmacy’s parking lot from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and the event is sponsored by RMC, Grove Park Pharmacy and WORG 100.3 FM Lite. Food, prizes and a drawing for a pair of Carolina-Clemson football game tickets are part of this event.

The goal of the competition is to capitalize on the tremendous rivalry and school spirit exemplified by Carolina and Clemson fans and to offer fans of our hometown football team, S.C. State University, the opportunity to show support and give blood in the name of their favorite team.

“The Rivalry Blood Drive is especially important in helping to build up a sufficient blood supply in preparation for anticipated blood needs during the holiday season,” noted RMC Laboratory Services Director Gary Ferguson.

“Because accidents are the largest cause of persons needing blood, and accidents tend to increase during the holidays, as the number of accidents increase, so does the need for blood,” Ferguson said. “At RMC an average of four units of blood is called for per accident victim in the Emergency Department. One patient may need up to 30 units of blood at one time, and RMC must keep at least 155 random units of blood in supply daily to meet our blood needs and be ready for emergencies,” he said.

Affiliated with the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), RMC’s blood program is a private, community-based program that relies on donations from members of the community to support the blood needs of the medical center.

“We are fortunate to have a community that supports RMC’s donor blood program throughout the year in meeting the needs of their families, friends and fellow community members,” noted Donor Recruitment Coordinator Kathleen O’Kane. “And we encourage everyone to come out and donate a unit of blood in honor of your favorite team! There is no better way to celebrate the holiday than to win tickets to the game while knowing that you have helped someone through your blood donation.”

To be eligible to donate blood, a person must weigh at least 110 pounds. The minimum age requirement for blood donors is 17, with parental permission. There is no maximum age limit, as long as a person is healthy. The entire process takes about 30 minutes; about 10 minutes for screening, 10 for donating a unit of blood, and about 10 to relax and have some juice and cookies before leaving.

For more information about the Rivalry Blood Drive or questions about donating blood, please call RMC’s Blood Donor Center at (803) 395-2419.