“Give Before You Go!” with WCOS and WVOC
South Carolina Blood Services Region
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2010
CONTACT: Jamie Muldrow, 803-251-6034, muldrowjb@usa.redcross.org
“Give Before You Go!” with WCOS and WVOC Radio Stations to Sponsor Pre-Labor Day Blood Drive
Columbia, S.C. — The American Red Cross is teaming up with 97.5 WCOS and 560 WVOC for the “Give Before You Go!” Pre-Labor Day Blood Drive Tuesday, Aug. 31 from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. at the American Red Cross, 2751 Bull St., Columbia.
Presenting donors will receive a free Red Cross tote bag and free food plus the first 20 donors will receive a pair of movie passes courtesy of Regal Cinemas. Donors will also have a chance to register to win a pair of tickets to see Reba McEntire and George Strait in concert Sept. 16 at the Colonial Life Arena.
“It’s often difficult to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients during the summer months, and right now, the Red Cross is currently in urgent need of all blood types,” said Jamie Muldrow, communications manager for the American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region. “Before you go to work, on vacation or out of town, be a hero this summer and give blood at the Pre-Labor Day Blood Drive.”
To schedule an appointment, call Red Cross representative Kimberly Reaves at 803-251-6007 or e-mail her at reaveskd@usa.redcross.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 54 hospitals and must have 500 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
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