It Feels Good To Save A Life

SOUTHERN CALIFORIA (02/01/2008)(readMedia)-- To increase blood and platelet donations and help persistently low blood supply levels, the American Red Cross and Mimi’s Cafe are teaming up to offer February blood and platelet donors a $10 gift certificate from Mimi’s Cafe. Donors will also have a chance to win a $500 Spa Getaway when they donate blood or blood products at any Red Cross blood drive in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego or Ventura Counties during the month of February. Eligible donors are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.GiveLife.org to make a blood-donation appointment. Walk-in donors are also eligible.

“During the entire month of February, blood donors can enjoy a great meal from Mimi’s and possibly win a chance to see how good it can feel to help save lives,” states Clifford Numark, director of donor recruitment for American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern California Region. “For the convenience of our donors, the Red Cross has multiple donor centers and blood drives located throughout Southern California. Or, better yet, when an individual, a business, or a community or religious organization hosts a blood drive, we will come to you.”

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 February will receive a $10 gift certificate from Mimi’s Cafe. In addition, all blood and platelet donor participants will be invited to fill out an entry form for a chance to win a $500 Spa Getaway gift card from American Express. Entries will be accepted at all Red Cross blood drive locations and will be limited to these Southern California counties. The promotion runs from February 1 through February 29; the winner of the drawing will be announced by March 15, 2008. 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 (age 16 with written parental consent) or older 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.

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