Miller-Keystone Blood Center launched its second annual Blood Donor Madness competition on Monday, aiming to increase blood donations among college students through a 12-week friendly competition among regional schools.

The initiative addresses a significant demographic concern in blood donation patterns. Currently, 54% of blood donations in the region come from individuals over age 55, while only 5% are made by people between ages 16 and 24, according to Monika Wiegers, director of donor services at MKBC.

She explained that longtime donors are increasingly likely to need transfusions themselves or become ineligible due to health conditions or medications. Combined with lower participation among younger donors, this trend could lead to more frequent and prolonged blood shortages.

“Blood is perishable and cannot be manufactured,” Wiegers said. “It can only be collected through the generosity of volunteer donors who take time out of their busy schedules to give the gift of life.”

Thirteen schools will compete this year, including Cedar Crest College, DeSales University, Lafayette College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Lehigh University, Moravian University, Northampton Community College, Penn State Lehigh Valley, Kutztown University, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Lackawanna College, Penn State Berks and Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences.

Penn State Lehigh Valley won the inaugural 2025 competition.

Donations may be made at college-sponsored blood drives or at MKBC donor centers in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Pittston and Reading. Donation totals will be weighted based on each school’s student population.

“The school that collects the most lifesaving blood donations will be crowned our 2026 College Champion,” said Keith Vogrin, MKBC’s director of marketing.

Each school has a goal of collecting donations equal to 4% of its student population. Schools meeting this goal will receive $1,000 for their scholarship fund, while the overall winner will receive $10,000. Individual donors can win prizes including gift cards, AirPods and sneakers.

Capital BlueCross and BSI Corporate Benefits are returning as event sponsors. Winners will be announced during the week of April 13, 2026, with an awards presentation later that month.

Additional information is available at GIVEaPINT.org/donormadness.