Christian, Jewish, Islamic and Other Faiths Remind Us-We Can Share the Miracle of Life

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (07/02/2008)(readMedia)-- Christian, Jewish, Islamic and other faith-based organizations throughout Southern California join together to celebrate the July 4th holiday and remind their congregations to share the miracle of life and donate blood at special American Red Cross Save-a-Life-Sunday blood drives Sunday, July 6. (See attached list of blood drive times and locations.)

"The Save-a-Life-Sunday campaign was created for religious organizations to help prevent blood shortages at critical times," explains Clifford Numark, director of donor recruitment for the American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern California Region. "This will be the 11th year clergy and laymen have spearheaded blood drives at their churches, temples, mosques and businesses and remind their congregations that every 56 days we have the opportunity to share in the miracle of life by donating blood. Now, with a deficit of blood projected for the 4th of July weekend, we appreciate and need their life-saving help even more."

Red Cross inventory levels have dipped as low as a four-hour supply of Type O-negative blood and less than a one-day supply of other blood types. These levels are extremely low and will only be sustainable with continued donor response. A five-day supply is generally considered adequate.

The American Red Cross appeals to Southern California residents to donate blood. Any healthy person age 17 or older (age 16 if accompanied by a parent) and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood.

To find out how you can schedule an appointment at one of the Save-a-Life-Sunday blood drives, please contact the administrative offices of the participating churches, temples, mosques or businesses. To donate blood at other Red Cross blood drives in Southern California, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.givelife.org. For Spanish, call 1-866-POR-VIDA (1-866-767-8432).

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