Cowboys win Bedlam Blood Battle

Monday, November 16, 2020

In what OSU fans hope is a good omen for the upcoming OSU vs. OU football game, Oklahoma State University beat the University of Oklahoma 803 to 740 in life-saving blood donations during the annual Bedlam Blood Battle.

The Oklahoma Blood Institute collected blood and convalescent plasma from Nov. 9-13 at various locations on both campuses, including four at the OSU-Stillwater campus.

“The Pokes edged out the Sooners in the showdown to save lives,” Oklahoma Blood Institute posted on its Facebook page Nov. 16. “But the real winners are the patients in local hospitals. Thank you to all of our donors and partners at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma!”

The Oklahoma Blood Institute previously said the need for blood was urgent, citing the recent ice storm’s strain on a blood supply already burdened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state has experienced more than 156,000 positive COVID-19 cases with more than 1,500 deaths, making the blood and plasma donations that much more important.

Although the Bedlam Blood Battle is a competition, OSU and OU are united in combating COVID-19 together. Oklahoma Blood Institute needs donations throughout the year and brings its Bloodmobile to campus four times each year, during Welcome Back Week, Bedlam, winter and spring.

Oklahoma Blood Institute is the local nonprofit blood supplier, supporting patients in more than 160 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide.  

Blood drives are managed according to CDC safety recommendations. Oklahoma Blood Institute is committed to maintaining the safest standards for blood collection, testing and transfusion.

“We are truly grateful to our donors who have stepped up during these extremely difficult months, but we know the Oklahoma State family always pulls together during hard times,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Oklahoma Blood Institute. “We thank OSU for being a steadfast partner in saving lives and recognizing that children with cancer cannot wait for treatment, trauma patients cannot wait for transfusions, and other patients with life-threatening conditions simply cannot wait for vital blood products.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Mack Burke | OSU Editorial Coordinator | 405.744.5540 | mack.burke_iv@okstate.edu