BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Jan 31, 2019) — Team up with the American Red Cross and Samford University Bulldogs to donate blood and help save lives Thursday, Feb. 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sullivan Cooney Field House, 800 Lakeshore in Birmingham. Presenting donors will receive a free Red Cross T-shirt, Papa John’s Pizza, raffle tickets for a chance to win signed footballs by Coach Hatcher, Samford athletic gear, and gift cards provided by the Samford football team, while supplies last.
The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients in need. Blood is needed for many different reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.
“The Bulldogs, including Spike the Bulldog, are excited to be a part of this lifesaving effort,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Blood Services Region. “High school and college students play an important role in supporting the blood supply. Blood donors from high school and college blood drives account for about 20 percent of donations given through the Red Cross during the school year.”
Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
How to donate blood
For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org sponsor code: samfordfootball or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors of all blood types are needed. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.