Blood Battle continues at Tuscarawas County YMCA
DOVER – The battle is on!
The 27th annual Blood Battle between Dover and New Philadelphia began at 11:30 Wednesday morning and continues until 6:30.
Quaker and Crimson Tornado fans can donate blood at the Tuscarawas County YMCA to see which school donates the most. Walk-ins are welcome. They should make sure they are healthy, have eaten a meal recently, and bring ID.
Dover fans had an early lead at lunchtime, according to Katy Neff of Vitalant (vitalant.org).
“It’s been busy. We’ve had a few walk-ins, which is good, and we’re starting to get people through pretty quickly,” she said. “So far more people have signed in under Dover, but it’s a close call every year.”
Courtney Shalosky of New Philadelphia has donated during the Blood Battle for five years. She’s a Dover grad but…
“My kids go to Phila, my daughter’s a cheerleader, so I guess I’m a converted Quaker, so Quakers for the Blood Battle,” she said. “This is super easy for anyone to come and do even if you don’t do it for the Blood Battle. It’s an easy process and a great way to give back to some people in need.”
Karol Lindow of Dover has been a blood donor her whole life.
“I’m a nurse, so I know how important blood donations are. A while back I had heart surgery and had blood transfusions for that, so again, I know how important it is,” she said. “I’m a transplant to Dover. I didn’t grow up here, but my son graduated from Dover, so … go Dover!”
April Lahman is a 1986 New Philadelphia grad and donates at the blood drive every year.
“I’m not from here originally. I was 10 when I moved down here and I’m all Quakers,” she said as she donated blood wearing her Quakers gear.
Alexis Immel is married to a Dover grad and donated blood for the first time, partly to support her husband’s alma mater.
“I guess I just never really felt a push for it until recently,” she said. “I guess the rivalry thing makes it more fun, but I work in the hospital, and I see it all around me, so I’m like, ‘You know what, it’s my turn.’”
The winner of the Blood Battle will be announced during Friday’s football game. Listen to it on WJER and at WJER.com.