Spokane County, WA — In a spirited display of community service, three Eastern Washington colleges launched the Red Cross “Blood Cup” competition, turning campus rivalry into a life‑saving effort. The initiative arrives as the American Red Cross warned earlier this year of a national blood supply crisis, prompting local hospitals to tighten elective surgery schedules and prioritize urgent cases.
Campus teams compete to give the most
Eastern Washington University (EWU), Washington State University Spokane, and Whitworth University each set up donation stations on their campuses. EWU students began giving blood on Wednesday, with the Red Cross promising a trophy for the school that collects the most donations. While the trophy adds a friendly competitive edge, participants emphasized that the true reward is helping patients in need.
“My mom has cancer and has needed blood transfusions before, so I’d love to give back in that way,” EWU sophomore Nico Murray told NonStop Local while donating. Another student, Christopher Mendoza, added, “If there’s incidents out there where people need a blood transfusion and they don’t have the amount needed, I can be that little percentage and help with my blood.”
Why the shortage matters
Summer Warfield, a Red Cross spokesperson, explained that the current shortage forces hospitals to make difficult decisions about patient care. “When blood supplies run low, facilities may delay elective surgeries and other procedures that can safely wait,” Warfield said. The shortage also puts pressure on emergency responders and trauma centers, which rely on a steady flow of blood products to treat injuries and life‑threatening conditions.
Hospitals across the region have reported longer wait times for blood‑dependent procedures, underscoring the urgency of community donations. By converting campus competition into a public‑health drive, the Blood Cup aims to replenish local blood banks and ease the burden on medical staff.
How students can keep giving
The Red Cross encourages ongoing participation beyond the competition. Donors can track where their contributions go through the Blood Donor App, which provides real‑time updates on collection totals and highlights the impact on nearby hospitals.
WSU Spokane plans to host its own donation event on Thursday, extending the momentum of the Blood Cup. Whitworth University will follow with a scheduled drive later in the week, ensuring that the three schools maintain a steady flow of donations throughout the competition period.
Community response
Local residents and alumni have praised the effort, noting that the Blood Cup not only supports a critical health need but also fosters a sense of unity among rival campuses. “It’s great to see our schools working together for a cause that affects everyone in the region,” said a Spokane County health official who attended the EWU drive.
As the competition progresses, the Red Cross will announce the winning school and present the trophy at a ceremony later this month. Regardless of the outcome, the collective donations are expected to make a meaningful dent in the regional blood shortage, helping patients receive the transfusions they need when they need them.
Original reporting: KHQ Spokane (news) — read the source article.
