American Red Cross Invites You To Save A Life, Fill Your Tank and Fill Your Stomach

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (06/01/2008)(readMedia)-- To increase blood and platelet donations and help persistently low blood supply levels, the American Red Cross is offering blood and platelet donors who give in the month of June a complimentary meal from Wahoo’s Fish Taco and a chance to win a gas gift card valued at $500.

“With incessant summer blood shortages, there really is no better time to save lives.” states Clifford Numark, director of donor recruitment for American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern California Region. “This June, the Red Cross is helping you fill up your stomach and your gas tank, when you help fill our blood bank.”

To encourage people to give blood in the coming weeks, everyone who signs up to donate blood or platelets at a Red Cross blood drive in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura counties during the month of June will receive a coupon for a complimentary meal at Wahoo’s Fish Taco and be invited to fill out an entry form for a chance to win a $500 gift card for gasoline. Entries will be accepted at all Red Cross blood drive locations, and will be limited to these Southern California counties. The promotion runs from June 1 though June 30; the winner of the gas drawing will be announced by July 15th. Prizes are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. 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 permission) 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 www.GiveLife.org. To organize a blood drive, call 1.800.491.2113. For Spanish, please call 1.866-POR.VIDA (1.866.767.8432) or visit www.cruzrojaamericana.org.

-30-