Rivalry week begins with 41st annual Carolina-Clemson blood battle

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) -The 41st annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Battle kicked off Monday, marking the start of Rivalry Week ahead of the Palmetto Bowl. While the two universities are fierce competitors on the football field, this event brings them together for a common cause: saving lives through blood donation.

The blood drive, organized by the American Red Cross, is one of the largest in South Carolina. Last year, it collected more than 6,200 pints of blood—enough to potentially save over 18,000 lives.

“The competition is definitely a huge way to get people involved,” said Molly Wacaser, a member of the Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive Committee. “They hear ‘Clemson’ and automatically think, ‘What can I do to beat them?’ I am no help on the football field, but if I want to make a difference, I know this is one way.”

The event began in 1984 and has since collected more than 120,000 units of blood, according to Denise Teasdell, executive director of the Central South Carolina Chapter of the Red Cross.

For some, the impact of the blood drive is deeply personal. Mario Jenkins, who experienced a sickle cell anemia emergency last year, said blood transfusions saved his life.

“I probably wouldn’t be here speaking to you today,” Jenkins said. “During that time, I got two blood transfusions within the course of two weeks. That got me back home to my family before Christmas and made me feel a whole lot better.”

New this year, fans and alumni—not just students—can participate by donating at Red Cross locations across the state. Their donations will count toward their preferred team.

“We’re asking fans to go into donor sites in Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and other areas to donate and vote for their favorite team,” Teasdell said.

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