Dover, Ohio - The big game between Dover and New Philadelphia on the football field is scheduled on Friday, Oct. 26, and the community can experience the rivalry by donating blood the day before the game.

The 21st Annual “Dover vs. New Philadelphia Blood Battle” will be waged on Thursday, Oct. 25, from noon to 7 p.m. at the Tuscarawas County YMCA. 

The community blood drive is hosted LifeShare Community Blood Services, which manages blood donation programs in the Tuscarawas Valley. Appointments are offered but are not necessary in order to participate. 

To make an appointment online for the Dover vs. New Philadelphia Blood Battle, visit Life Share's website at www.lifesharedonor.org. Fans of the Tornadoes can use sponsor code doverbldbattle when making their appointment, while fans of the Quakers can use sponsor code newphillybldbattle.

Donors as young as 16 years old can participate, but all donors under the age of 18 must have a completed and signed LifeShare Parental Consent Form. All donors will receive “Hero Rewards” points redeemable for a $10 e-gift card.

Last year, fans of the Quakers were the team winners in an extremely close contest, after donating 37 units of blood compared to 35 for Dover fans. Dover leads the all-time “series” in the blood battle with 10 victories compared to nine wins for New Philadelphia, along with one tie that occurred in 2016.

Darrin Lautenschleger is Director of Community Relations for  Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital. He says the real winners of the competition are the patients.

“This annual tradition is another positive way to participate in what is one of the oldest high school football rivalries in the state of Ohio," he says. “Even more importantly, each single blood donation has the power to save up to three lives.”

Residents of both communities, team boosters, students ages 16 and older, parents, faculty and everyone in the Tuscarawas Valley are invited to donate blood for either the Tornadoes or the Quakers. 

The winner of the Blood Battle will be announced during the football game between Dover and New Philadelphia on Oct. 26 at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia.

Information about Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital and all of its services available to the community is available on the hospital website at www.unionhospital.org, and on the hospital’s pages on Facebook and Twitter (@Union_Hospital).