Blood rivals

The Alabama-Auburn rivalry is being used to encourage blood donations before the holiday season.

Students in Tuscaloosa and Auburn gathered at their respective student centers this week to give blood in a friendly competition to see which school can collect the most pints. The blood drive, which began Tuesday and ends Thursday, is sponsored by the American Red Cross.

According to the Red Cross, blood donations often decline during the holidays when busy schedules, inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can make it more difficult for donors to make and keep donation appointments, but the need for blood doesn’t take a holiday break.

Blood drive organizers hoped to use school pride at the University of Alabama and Auburn University to boost donations and save lives.

The two schools are also competing to see who can collect the most food for local food banks. The Beat Auburn Beat Hunger and the Beat Bama Food Drive wrap up Thursday, with a winner to be declared Friday.

After the blood drives and the food drives, students and football fans can turn their attention to the Iron Bowl, which will be held at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.