by Jacqueline Frost
For nearly 100 years, the Bears and Stanford Cardinal have battled for "the Axe" in the Big Game. This year, students and alumni from both campuses are out for blood.
The two rivals hope to pump up reserves of Bay Area blood banks by establishing a new Big Game contest--the Hemo Bowl.
"We can beat Stanford both in the Big Game and the Hemo Bowl," said Joan Mak, a Berkeley senior majoring in biochemistry and a member of the California Alumni Scholars Club, one of the sponsors of the blood drive.
Cal's goal is 300 donors for the two-day drive. No matter who fills the most vials, it's a contest where everybody wins.
"The holiday season is a difficult time for blood banks," said Carmel O'Conner Jones, assistant director of the Blood Bank of the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association. "Donations tend to drop off dramatically. This will help everyone."
In a challenge issued to Stanford President Gerhard Casper, Chancellor Tien said: "I believe that this is an opportunity to do great public good by summoning the loyalties of our constituents while emphasizing that in this arena we are heading for the same goal."
Cal students, faculty and staff can donate blood in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union on Thursday, Nov. 16, and Friday, Nov. 17 between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
"This blood drive just goes to show that this week is not only about the Big Game, but about how universities relate to the community at large," said Terence Lau, a Berkeley senior and president of Californians, a student group that fosters campus pride and spirit, especially during Big Game week.
The Big Game this year is at Stanford Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 18 at 12:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Carmel O'Conner Jones at the Blood Bank of the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association, 654-2924.