5th Annual Katrina Memorial Blood Drive

(Biloxi, MS)-  During the summer months, the blood supply traditionally suffers as students, who represent one-fifth of the total blood supply, are out of classes and the need for blood increases. One way volunteer blood donors on the Mississippi Coast can help make sure the blood supply remains at a safe and stable level throughout the critical Labor Day holiday weekend is by donating blood at the upcoming 5th annual Katrina Memorial blood drive, scheduled for Saturday, August 28 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday, August 29 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at Edgewater Mall near the rock wall.

Each year since the storm, hundreds of volunteer blood donors on the Mississippi Coast have marked the day their lives changed by giving others in the region a chance to rebuild their lives through the Katrina Memorial blood drive. The drive is dedicated to not only those who lost their lives in the ravaging storm, but to those who survived and the volunteers who’ve helped the Coast rebuild.

The drive is meant to help boost the end-of-summer blood supply, and this year, the drive falls on the eve of the Labor Day weekend, a period of time during which collections plummet while the demand sharply spikes. Volunteer blood donors at the Katrina blood drive will not only be paying homage to those who weathered the storm and the volunteers who supported them, but it will also serve to help those who need blood over the critical Labor Day holiday weekend.

The summer is a tough time for the blood supply in our region for several reasons. First of all, school is out during the summer months. Students in high school and college comprise 21 percent of blood donors in this region, and when they aren’t available for donations at their respective schools, the blood inventory suffers. Also, because the summertime is a period filled with outdoor recreation, increased outside labor and more frequent vacation travel, an increase in the number of accidents has historically served to further deplete the blood supply.

All presenting volunteer donors will receive a commemorative t-shirt, a Chick-fil-A coupon, a giveaway from Avon, a “buy-one-get-one-free” coupon from Sicily’s Italian Buffet and will be registered in a regional quarterly drawing to win a $1000 gift card. Blue Bell Rainbow Freeze popsicles will be served in canteen. During the months of July, August and September, every presenting volunteer donor at an American Red Cross blood drive or donor center will be entered into a regional drawing for a $1000 gift card (to be awarded at the end of September) as part of the “Give Blood and See America” promotion.

To make an appointment to donate at the Katrina Memorial drive, please visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: Katrina. For more information about blood donation, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org.

The American Red Cross, Blood Services, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region ,which supplies blood to approximately 100 hospitals, needs 600 blood donors each day in order to meet the needs of patients in the region. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. (Donors younger than 19 years old may also have to meet height/ weight criteria).

CONTACT:   Evan Duffy

                        Communications Manager

                        Office: 251-662-2581

                        Cell: 251-295-2396

                        duffyek@usa.redcross.org

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