With fall semester more than half-way complete, you’ve probably mastered the art of getting through the HUB. You can now successfully retrieve your Chick-fil-A without also picking up 5,000 fliers that you likely won’t even read.

However, somewhere in the vicinity of the HUB-Robeson Center stands a student or two with some information that is actually important to anyone that bleeds blue and white, because it involves our long standing enemy Michigan State and saving lives. Although we are #PSUnrivaled, Michigan State unfortunately bested us last year in more ways than one.

While we may not be able to change the outcome on the football field, anyone in State College can lend a hand in defeating Michigan State in the annual Penn State-Michigan State Blood Donor Challenge. The challenge, which takes place the first three weeks of November every year, is kicking into gear this year for the twenty-second time. While Penn State is ahead in the series, 13-9, recent years have seen a decline in participation here at Penn State, culminating in another loss last year.

Everyone (not just students) is eligible to donate, granted you are at least 17-years old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and are healthy. If beating Michigan State isn’t motivation enough, know that for every one person that donates, approximately three lives are saved. In addition, all donors will receive a free t-shirt and free food.

Many student organizations on campus compete against each other for the Alpha Epsilon Delta Blood Cup, sponsored by Penn State’s premedical honor fraternity. For many students, donating could provide an opportunity to land the trifecta of Penn State involvement: bettering your student organization, defeating Michigan State, and saving lives.

Donating is convenient — drives are being held in residence halls, the Hintz Alumni Center, the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, the Hammond Building, Rec. Hall, and the HUB. While walk-ins are welcome, the drives can get crazy near the end of the competition, so scheduling an appointment is appreciated. With enough support and donations, we can hopefully break the recent slump and bring home another blood drive victory for Dear Old State.