Butler and Marquette don’t only compete on the basketball court; they also face off in the annual Versiti Blood Battle. This year marks the fourth Blood Battle hosted by Versiti—a nonprofit healthcare organization that specializes in blood donation, transfusion medicine, and innovative research. With blood centers and facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin, Versiti works to improve patient outcomes and save as many lives as possible through its work in the lab and by hosting blood drives. 

The Butler vs. Marquette Versiti Blood Battle is a friendly competition between these two schools that runs from September 1, 2025, to April 15, 2026. The goal: which school and community can collect the most blood donations. Students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members are encouraged to participate to help the Bulldogs pull ahead and save the most lives. But the relationship with Versiti goes beyond just donation drives.

Butler announced their partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Indiana in 2022. Upon the formation of this partnership, Chris Miskel ’00, a Butler graduate and the President and CEO of Versiti, stated “Versiti’s mission is deeply rooted in the communities we serve; through our mission alignment with Butler, we are committed to strengthening our work throughout Indiana to positively impact even more patients in need.”

That alignment is evident through the people involved in the partnership, including Katelyn Conley ’25, a recent Butler graduate who now works for Versiti as an account representative. Versiti played a significant role in shaping Conley’s college experience and ultimately inspired her to pursue a career with the organization. In her role, Conley works closely with hospitals served by Versiti, allowing her to see firsthand the impact of blood donations. “When you donate through Versiti, you’re helping out your community,” she said. “Butler is very big about community engagement and giving back, and that’s a big part of Versiti’s mission as well.”

Conley also highlighted how a small time-commitment can make a major difference. Donation appointments can run from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the individual donor. “Our motto is we’re a beacon of hope. If you can take 15 to 20 minutes out of your day to book an appointment, sit down in a chair, and donate one unit of blood, you’re saving three lives,” she explained. Versiti also tests each blood sample in its lab, notifying donors if there are any concerning findings so they can seek further testing. “It’s good for you as well as patients within the community,” Conley said.

One common barrier to donating blood, especially among college students, is a fear of needles. To help address this, Versiti offers a variety of programs and incentives to make donors feel more comfortable. “Our staff are very well trained,” Conley said. “If you have a fear of needles, we have different ways for you to not look at the needle.” 

Giving back to the community is deeply ingrained in the Butler way, making Versiti a natural partner in advancing that mission. Since partnering with Versiti, the Butler community has helped save 3,456 lives through 1,152 blood donations, a testament to the impact of a partnership built on purpose and service.

Versiti supports more than 90 hospitals across Indiana, meaning when members of the Butler community step forward to donate, the impact is felt close to home. The lives helped by these donations may include a neighbor, coach, professor, classmate, friend, or family member. Blood collected through campus drives stays local, strengthening the healthcare system that surrounds the Butler community. In many cases, donors receive a follow-up text thanking them and sharing how their blood was used to help patients nearby—a tangible reminder that a short appointment can make a meaningful impact right where you live, learn, and lead.

Versiti aims to collect 400 blood products on Butler’s campus for the fourth annual Blood Battle. To help make this possible, check out the Versiti website for information about upcoming blood drives.