On Sunday, Oct. 9, Be a Hero will once again take over the Jack Roth Stadium Club at the Big House for the largest single-day blood drive on the University of Michigan’s campus. 

Join us at the largets single-day blood drive on the University of Michigan campus and register for organ and bone marow donation. In consideration of our immunocompromised attendees, face masks will be required.

“As the largest blood supplier in the United States, the American Red Cross is excited to team up again with the University of Michigan and its Be a Hero blood drive,” said Mary Lynn Foster, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Michigan Region. “Donating blood is truly a selfless act and it can make a significant impact on those who need it. Whether you are a current donor or looking to donate for the first time, you could help save a life.”

The 2022 event will kick off the 40th year of the Blood Battle, a competition between U-M and Ohio State University to collect the most pints of blood during a series of fall drives.

"Be a Hero is the largest drive of the Blood Battle, and we are incredibly grateful for all of the donors, volunteers and community partners that make it such a success,” said Isabella Bonnewit, who handles external affairs for Blood Drives United, the U-M student organization that helps put on Be a Hero. “We hope that this year’s event will help us reach our goal of collecting 1,500 units of blood, securing another win against Ohio State.”

Expect appearances from the Wolverines Trooper, the Michigan G-Men all-male a cappella group, a special athletic guest and various mascots, who will take to the third floor for their classic dance-off. Interviews with patients and experts, a selfie station and social media feed featuring pictures and shout-outs will round out the entertainment schedule.

Attendees can also watch the Detroit Lions play the New England Patriots on the club suite TVs and snack on cider and doughnuts. 

Every 100th person in the door will receive a free tote bag and can even add two wine glasses to their haul if they answer two out of three trivia questions correctly. Door prizes will also be available throughout the day; filling out a feedback survey, showing your COVID-19 vaccination card or filling out a passport of stamps from the vendor tables will each get you one entry into the raffle. 

To sign up to donate blood at a U-M blood drive, visit redcrossblood.org and type “goblue” into the search box. Scroll down to the Oct. 9 dates at Michigan Stadium to register for Be a Hero.

“People who donate blood are intrinsically giving, just like organ and tissue donors,” said Dorrie Dils, President and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan, the state’s organ and tissue donation program. “The need is critical, so if you’ve never done it, please consider donating blood to help others.”

Dils, an Ohio native, added that she’s rooting for both sides in this friendly competition: “Everyone wins when lives are saved!”