The Red Cross Invites Donors to Continue the Tradition and Give Blood this Holiday Season

WEST HENRIETTA, NY (12/18/2007)(readMedia)-- As the popular holiday song states “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” However, for many patients and their loved ones, the upcoming holidays may be very different. Every day, holidays included, hundreds of people in area hospitals depend on receiving the “Gift of Life”. With the recent snow and cold experienced throughout the Northeast, the Red Cross urges blood donors to donate blood during this holiday season, as supplies of blood have begun falling this week. To date, the Red Cross is short 350 units, which translates to approximately more than 1,000 patients who may not be able to receive the lifesaving gift of blood.

During this season of giving, friends, families and businesses often develop caring traditions such as providing gifts for needy families or working at homeless shelters. As a way to participate in the “spirit of the season” the American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region invites current and new donors to start or continue the tradition and give blood with family, friends or co-workers this holiday season.

“We encourage current and new donors to either start or continue the tradition and give blood with family, friends or co-workers this holiday season.” said Kay Schwartz, chief executive office, New York-Penn Region. “By spending time with the people closest to them, they will be celebrating in one of the most meaningful ways possible.”

Donors are needed to give blood at holiday blood drives. There is traditionally a 10-15 percent decline in blood donations during the winter holiday season, which can cause blood shortages during a crucial time. This winter, the Red Cross reminds blood donors to make and keep appointments, or if weather proves unsafe, to reschedule as soon as they are able to travel safely.

To help ensure that patients’ needs do not go unmet during this festive time, local blood centers will be open on Sunday, Dec. 23, Monday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 26. All current presenting eligible donors who recruit a new blood donor during December will be eligible to enter a random drawing to win a $250 gift card of the donor’s choice. For a listing of all blood drives through December 26, visit www.DonateBloodNow.org.

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

• All presenting donors during the month of December will be eligible to win a weekend getaway to a destination of their choice. To register, presenting donors are asked to visit www.pointsforpints.org. The drawing will take place throughout the Region on Thursday, Jan.10.

• All presenting donors at blood drives from December 15 – December 31, will receive a free holiday tee-shirt.

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. Anyone 17 years or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health may be eligible to donate blood. In New York State, 16-year-olds may donate blood provided they bring an original signed New York State Informed Parental Consent for a 16-Year-Old to Donate Whole Blood to the blood drive. The consent form can be found at www.DonateBloodNow.org/16. Identification is required at the time of donation to give blood.

-30-

Editor’s Note: The Red Cross can make available for interview a family who has an established tradition of giving blood together.