Hoxworth Blood Center and FC Cincinnati team up for first-ever Hell is Real blood drive competition

Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, and Major League Soccer’s two Ohio clubs, FC Cincinnati and the Columbus Crew, are launching the first Hell is Real Blood Drive competition. The drive will take place from Aug. 1-25 and will see which club’s supporters can donate more blood to help those in need.

All FC Cincinnati fans and blood donors interested in participating in the Hell is Real Blood Drive competition can visit any of Hoxworth's seven Neighborhood Donor Centers and select mobile blood drives between Aug. 1-25. All donors will receive a complimentary “I Bleed Orange and Blue” T-shirt in FC Cincinnati colors.

“We wanted to find a way to capture the excitement around Hell is Real to have an impact in the community,” said Kate Solomon, FC Cincinnati’s Senior Vice President, Fan & Community Engagement. “Our fans have shown great support of this drive in the past, and we hope this taps into the competition of the rivalry to make an even greater impact for our area this year.”

The Columbus Crew has partnered with their local blood bank in Columbus and will compete against Hoxworth and FC Cincinnati to see which team can rally more donors to give back to their community through blood donation. The winning team of the Hell is Real Blood Drive Competition will receive a trophy co-designed by both clubs. The winner will be announced following the blood drive via social media — date TBD. 

“Our partnership with FC Cincinnati has historically helped boost blood collections during the difficult summer months, and we couldn’t be more thankful,” says David Oh, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Hoxworth Blood Center. “We are even more excited this year for our greater Cincinnati community to rally behind the No. 1 team in MLS to help bolster our blood supply and compete against the Columbus Crew to make an impactful mark on both of our Ohio communities.”

Hoxworth officials added that there has been a decline in donor turnout this summer which has negatively impacted the local blood supply and blood and platelet donors are critically needed to maintain a stable and healthy supply of blood products for patients in area hospitals. 

Hoxworth operates seven Neighborhood Donor Centers in the Tristate area. Appointments are highly encouraged due to the anticipated popularity of the event. For more information and to schedule at a blood center or participating blood drive, visit hoxworth.org/groups/fcc.