The UT-Chattanooga campus will be rockin’ this week, as the university and Blood Assurance host the semi-annual Bloodanooga blood drive. The event’s theme is ‘80s rock music, an ode to Stranger Things character, Eddie Munson.

The two-day blood drive will take place Sept. 28-29, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. inside the University Center Tennessee Room. It’s open to all university students, faculty, staff and the general public.

“We are incredibly excited to return to campus for what has always been a terrific and well-attended blood drive,” said Christopher Swafford, chief operations officer for Blood Assurance. “The low blood supply in our area continues to be of great concern. We are confident Bloodanooga will help replenish the inventory.”

Bloodanooga was first held in 2011. According to Blood Assurance, more than 7,300 donors have given blood at Bloodanooga blood drives since the inaugural event eleven years ago. Swafford said any blood drive geared toward college students is vital to Blood Assurance’s success.

“College kids are ideal donors because they are generally very healthy,” said Swafford. “This is also an opportunity that allows us to educate them at a young age as to why it’s so important to give blood now and in the future. We want them to become life-long donors.”

As an incentive to donate, Blood Assurance will be awarding each blood donor on Wednesday and Thursday a commemorative Bloodanooga t-shirt. Donors will also be entered to win an Apple Watch and Airpods. Moreover, free food and drinks will be available, along with prizes.

Bloodanooga is a walk-in only blood drive. Online scheduling is not available.

About Blood Assurance
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 70 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.