The University of Iowa DeGowin Blood Center is a hospital based blood center that collects blood for use by the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics patients.   This life sustaining blood assists many programs and departments within the hospitals and without these vital products, many of the procedures performed would not be possible.   Last year 32,425 blood products were transfused to patients at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, with surgeries, cancer patients, bone marrow transplants, and neonates to name just a few who benefit from the generosity of volunteer blood donors.  

The DeGowin Blood Center, in their continued efforts to meet the needs of the patients, has developed a Team DeGowin concept for the upcoming year and the UI Football program has agreed to act as DeGowin's Leadership Team in promoting our mission and giving greater visibility to the front line task of saving lives.

This partnership will begin with a Kick-off Blood Drive to be held on Monday, June 5, from 10 am to 3 pm in the UI Hall of Fame Museum. Coach Ferentz will join other members of the Iowa Football family in taking a break from summer workouts to roll up their sleeves and give blood. Everyone will have the opportunity to enter a special drawing for an Iowa football autographed by Coach Ferentz, his assistant coaches and players who are in attendance. Donors will receive a DeGowin Life Saving Team T-shirt. Participants can tour the UI Hall of Fame Museum for only $1, a significant discount from the standard $4 admission fee.

The number of donors that can be accommodated during this drive is limited, so donors must schedule a time to donate. Sign up to donate by calling the DeGowin Blood Center at 319-356-2058 or by visiting the Center's website at www.uihealthcare.com/bloodcenter.

Other upcoming DeGowin and UI Football Program Leadership Team events include:

• A week-long blood drive during "Beat Iowa State Week" with player appearances at the Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) blood drive at the Iowa Memorial Union on September 14, 2006.
• A Special blood drive November 30, 2006, prior to Iowa's bowl game in the Activities Room in the first level of the John Pappajohn Pavilion at UI Hospitals and Clinics
• A series of appearances by the players during the high school blood drives next spring.
• A special ceremony to honor the Hawkeyes for their support at halftime of the next Iowa Spring game

Autographed footballs will be raffled at all of the above blood drive events.