Monday, Feb. 11, is the start of the fifth annual Bleed Orange Competition between fans of the Lady Vols and the Vanderbilt Commodores women's teams. Every year each group tries to bring in the most blood donations for one week, with the winner being announced on game night.

Mike Prowell, associate director of MEDIC Regional Blood Center, expressed the importance of an event like this during a slow donation month.

"February donations are typically slow due to illnesses and weather factors; with this event we are expecting 1,300 to 1,400 donations; about 500 more donations our average," Prowell said.

The competition runs from Feb. 11-15 and is sponsored by the Lady Vols. A full schedule can be found on the MEDIC Web site. All donors will receive a limited edition "Bleed Orange" Lady Vols T-shirt and a coupon for free Chick-fil-A chicken minis.

For more information visit the MEDIC Web site, or call 865-524-3074 for community blood drive locations.