The American Red Cross is hosting blood drives at Kent State University on Monday, Oct. 7 and Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The drives are part of a “blood battle” between Kent State and the University of Akron, said Joseph Charnas, the president of Kent State’s Pre-Dental Student Association, the organization sponsoring the drive, in an email.

The battle will determine which school can donate the most blood, and the winner will be announced at the Kent vs. Akron football game on Nov. 2.

“This is an effort to satisfy the demand of the 900 units of blood that are necessary to collect each day in order to service the needs of the 19 counties in northern Ohio alone,” Charnas said.

Both blood drives will be from noon to 6 p.m. at the Kent State Student Center in rooms 310 A, B and C, and donors will receive a free Chipotle gift card.

Double red donations are also available. According to the American Red Cross’ website, “double red cell donation is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you.”

Restrictions on double red donations are found on the American Red Cross’ webpage and are determined by a person’s height and weight.

Students interested in donating can contact Charnas at [email protected] to schedule a donation appointment. However, walk-in donors are also welcome.

Charnas said in his email that the most important reasons to participate in the “Blood Battle” blood drive are to “save lives, beat Akron (and) free Chipotle.”

Contact Emily Mills at [email protected].