A blood drive pitting Kansas University fans and supporters against their K-State rivals will be conducted Thursday by the Lawrence Community Blood Center, 1410 Kasold Drive.

The drive, being billed as the KU-Kansas State University Battle for Blood, will start at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 6 p.m. At the end of the day blood center officials will determine which university’s supporters donated the most blood.

The blood will be used for area patients who need blood transfusions. The blood goes to local hospitals, including Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

The center is in critical need of types O and A donors, said Leann DeLong, recruitment representative.