There will be blood. But will there be enough donors for Wolverine supporters to retain their title in the annual Blood Battle with Ohio State University?

The blood drive, which began last week, runs through Nov. 19. Organizers hope to collect 2,500 pints this year to surpass last year’s total of 2,449 and extend U-M’s two-year winning streak. (They’re also rooting for an on-field win against the Buckeyes in the yearly rivals’ game on Nov. 27.)

Open to students, employees and fans, the event is sponsored by the American Red Cross Blood Services Region of Southeastern Michigan, as well as Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity with support from the Washtenaw County American Red Cross Club at U–M, and other student organizations on campus. More than 30 drives around the U-M campus have been scheduled.

“It’s fantastic because the blood that’s donated can potentially save three times as many lives,” says senior Mary Rock, student co-chair of U-M’s 2010 Blood Battle.

The winner will be announced at the Nov. 27 game.

Due to the popularity of the drive, it’s strongly recommended that donors make an appointment at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-GIVELIFE using the sponsor code “goblue.”

Donors will be entered in a raffle for two tickets to the game in Columbus. Five-dollar gift cards to Starbucks or Potbelly Sandwich Shop also are available while supplies last to those who donate through Tuesday.

Over the course of a year, the Health System needs blood from about 65,000 donors, says Suzanne Butch, the U-M Blood Bank’s administrative manager.

A pint of blood given by a donor doesn’t necessarily translate into a pint of blood for immediate use. Blood is split up into its constituent parts to help those specifically in need of red cells, plasma and platelets. It takes five donations, for example, to produce a single dose of platelets.

Some of the Health System’s biggest needs come from cancer patients, those undergoing major surgery, transplant recipients and trauma victims, Butch says.

“With the University of Michigan and other local hospitals, Washtenaw County is a net blood importer,” Butch says. “We always need blood.”

This year, U-M also is sponsoring a parallel effort, dubbed Wolverines for Life, to encourage organ, tissue, eye, and bone marrow donation by U-M employees, patients, students, alumni, fans and everyone in the state of Michigan.

Who can give blood?

Donors must be in good health, at least 17 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.