American Red Cross Encourages You to Save a Life and "Get Fit for Summer"

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (05/01/2008)(readMedia)-- To increase blood and platelet donations and help maintain an adequate blood supply for our local hospitals, the American Red Cross is offering blood donors a chance to win a One-Year Gym Membership.

To encourage people to give blood in the coming weeks, everyone who signs up to donate blood or platelets at a Southern California Red Cross blood drive in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura counties during the month of May will be invited to fill out an entry form for a chance to win a one-year gym membership to the gym of his/her choice -- the American Red Cross will provide a maximum $500 toward the annual membership fee. Prizes are nontransferable and not redeemable for cash. Entries will be accepted at all Red Cross blood drive locations and will be limited to these counties. The winner will be announced by June 15, 2008. American Red Cross employees are not eligible.

The American Red Cross urgently appeals to Southern California residents to donate blood. Any healthy person age 17 or older (age 16 with written parental consent) and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood.

All eligible donors are asked to schedule an appointment to donate blood by calling 1.800.GIVE.LIFE (1.800.448.3543) or by visiting GiveLife.org. To organize a blood drive, call 1.800.491.2113. For Spanish, please call 1.866-POR.VIDA (1.866.767.8432).