The American Red Cross Invites You to See How Good It Feels to Give

SOUTHERN CALIFORIA (11/30/2008)(readMedia)-- To increase blood and platelet donations and help persistently low blood supply levels, the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Clippers and Cold Stone Creamery are teaming up to offer blood and platelet donors two tickets to a Clippers game and a free Cold Stone Creamery Creation this December. All donors will also have a chance to win an American Express gift card valued at $500 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 December. 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 December, blood donors can help save lives, get tickets to a Clippers game, enjoy a Cold Stone Creamery treat and have a chance to receive a gift from us," 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 Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties during the month of December will receive a coupon for a complimentary Cold Stone Creamery Creation and a voucher good for two free tickets to a Los Angeles Clippers game (maximum two tickets per donor). Clipper tickets, valued at a minimum of $25 per ticket, are for select games in February and are subject to availability. There will be a $5 processing and handling fee per ticket. Donors may purchase additional tickets at a discounted rate, when they redeem their voucher.

In addition, all blood and platelet donor participants will be invited to fill out an entry form for a chance to win a $500 American Express gift card. Entries will be accepted at all Red Cross blood drive locations and will be limited to these Southern California counties. The promotion runs from December 1 though December 31; the winner of the drawing will be announced by January 15, 2009. 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 when accompanied by a parent) and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood. Photo I.D. is required for all blood donations.

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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