Red Cross Says, "Start a Holiday Tradition – Give Blood"

WEST HENRIETTA, NY (11/21/2007)(readMedia)-- WHAT: Donors are needed to give blood at Thanksgiving Day blood drives or at a drive over the long weekend. As the holidays approach, the Red Cross anticipates a seasonal 10 percent drop in blood donations.

WHERE:

Thursday, Nov. 22, 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Red Cross Donor Center, 33 Everett Rd., Albany

Red Cross Blood Donor Center, Crosstown, Rt. 7 & Watt, Schenectady

Friday, Nov. 23, 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Red Cross Blood Donor Center, Crosstown, Rt. 7 & Watt, Schenectady

WHY: The American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region asks current and new blood donors to start a new tradition at the start of this holiday season and give blood with family, friends or co-workers. Every day, holidays included, hundreds of people in area hospitals depend on receiving the “Gift of Life”. To help ensure that patients’ needs do not go unmet during this festive time, local blood centers will be open on Thanksgiving Day and throughout the weekend. All current eligible and new donors are urged to schedule and keep appointments to donate blood today by calling 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visiting www.DonateBloodNow.org.

As a thank you to donors, the Red Cross is offering the following promotions:

• All presenting donors at all Red Cross Blood drives in November will be eligible to win a $1,000 gift certificate to a mall of their choice. To register, presenting donors are asked to visit www.pointsforpints.org. The drawing will take place throughout the Region on December 10.

• As an additional thank you, all presenting donors at blood drives from November 22-November 24 will receive a free traditional tee-shirt.

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