GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — As college football bowl season kicks off, four of the most prestigious universities in the Midwest will be taking part in a different kind of bowl — and this one saves lives.
"The Blood Bowl has been going on since the late 1990s. It was just started as a way of getting awareness out [for the importance of blood donations]. It was just MSU versus U-M. A few years back, we added Ohio State and Notre Dame to the challenge," said Jerry Jonckheere, who serves as the president of MSU's local alumni chapter, the West Michigan Spartans.
Jonckheere knows firsthand how important those blood donations can be.
"I was born with a bicuspid valve. It's something congenital, and I have to have this surgery done about every 15 years. What they do is they replace the valve," Jonckheere said.
His most recent open-heart surgery was a few years ago.
"They had to use two units of blood during that operation, because the second time around, there's a lot of scar tissue. So they have to cut through that, and I lost a lot of blood in that process. So now I can say that I'm on both ends up donating. I've had it donated to me, so I can vouch for anybody that's had a life-saving donation."
The Blood Bowl runs from Saturday, Dec. 16 through Sunday, Jan. 8 at Versiti Blood Centers of Michigan.
All you have to do to have your donation counted in The Blood Bowl is enter an alumni code in the notes section when you sign up for an appointment online. Use UM for Michigan, MSU for Michigan State, ND for Notre Dame, and OSU for Ohio State.
You're encouraged to wear your college gear to the donation, but it's not required.
"Let's just say I'm very proud that MSU has 'bled green' in the past. We've always beaten U-M. Ohio State actually defeated us one year in The Blood Bowl. It's just fun to get these groups together and trade a few jabs, but do it all for a great cause," Jonckheere said.
The West Michigan Spartans are hoping their group can donate 50 pints of blood this year. Jerry is also hoping to get at least five first-time blood donors to give.
"I just read today that 38 percent of people are eligible to give, but only 2 percent of the population gives blood. So if you're part of the population that can give blood and you aren't, it's not a scary process. The people come in, they take great care. Yeah, there is a needle poke, but it's pretty minor. And when you start to say you're too busy, it's less than an hour out of your time," Jonckheere said.
He said it's important to remember how your donation can save others, even if you can't see them.
"You're actually impacting lives, and you're actually helping somebody in need, even though you may not know who that person is."
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