MTSU's 100 Miles of Hope blood drive runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 2-4 at Campus Rec. Donors get a T-shirt, a $10 gift card and four football tickets.

Middle Tennessee State University’s annual “100 Miles of Hope” blood drive returns next week, and it is open to the public, not only students.

The American Red Cross drive runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 2-4, at MTSU’s Campus Recreation Center, 1848 Blue Raider Drive. The university announced the dates in a release on Monday.

It is a contest with Western Kentucky University, which holds its own drive at the same time. The name refers to the 100 miles between the two campuses. The school that collects more blood wins a challenge trophy, announced at the MTSU-WKU homecoming game at Floyd Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7.

What donors get

Every donor who comes in to give gets, according to the university:

  • pizza
  • a commemorative T-shirt
  • a $10 Amazon eGift card
  • four tickets to MTSU’s 2026 home game against New Mexico State

How to give

  • Book a time through the Red Cross’s MTSU sponsor page, or in the Red Cross Blood Donor App with the sponsor code MTSU. Walk-ins are welcome.
  • Park free in the visitor spaces at MT One Stop, 1860 Blue Raider Drive, next to the Campus Recreation Center. The university’s campus parking map shows the lot.
  • Check eligibility first. The Red Cross sets height and weight requirements that differ for men and women; the university’s donor information link has the details.

The record so far

Last year MTSU collected 301 units of blood, against 211 at Western Kentucky, the university said. More than 150 of MTSU’s donors were giving for the first time.

Since the drive began in 2010, the two universities have collected 7,468 units between them. The university estimates that blood has potentially helped more than 22,000 people.

“If we reach our goal, the blood collected through this drive has the potential to help save thousands of lives,” said Scarlett James, blood services state lead for the American Red Cross.

James said each pint is split into platelets, plasma and red cells, so one donation can help three patients. She also wants more donors to come forward for patients with sickle cell disease, who often need regular transfusions from closely matched donors.

A Red Cross phlebotomist in a black jacket prepares a student in a green hoodie for a blood donation in the MTSU Campus Recreation Center gym.
A Red Cross phlebotomist prepares a student donor at a previous 100 Miles of Hope drive in the Campus Recreation Center. Photo: courtesy of Middle Tennessee State University (J. Intintoli)

What it means for you

If you live in Murfreesboro and have been meaning to give blood, this is a three-day window a few minutes from downtown, with free parking and four football tickets for your trouble. Booking ahead through the Red Cross saves a wait.

For other events in town, see our things to do page.