Oklahoma City Zoo and Red Cross announce partnership
Blood drives scheduled to help save lives. All those coming to give receive two free OKC Zoo vouchers
OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 20, 2018) — The Oklahoma City Zoo and the American Red Cross announce an opportunity for area residents to roll up a sleeve to help save lives. Beginning Sept. 1, Red Cross blood drives will be held monthly through the end of the year in the Zoo’s education center, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other dates include Sept. 29, Oct. 27, Nov. 24 and Dec. 22.
“The Oklahoma City Zoo is proud to launch this new partnership with the American Red Cross of Oklahoma and support their mission to serve our state at large,” said Greg Heanue, OKC Zoo senior director of marketing, public relations. “We recognize the valuable resources the Red Cross provides our communities and hope this promotion will not only inspire Oklahomans to take action and donate blood, but also provide them with an opportunity to reconnect with the OKC Zoo.”
As a thank you, those who come to donate at one of the six OKC Zoo drives will receive two free vouchers to the Zoo, and all who come to donate at the Sept. 1 blood drive will also receive a commemorative Red Cross T-shirt and a Red Cross water bottle.
To make an appointment to give blood at one of the Oklahoma City Zoo blood drives, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use the sponsor code OKCZoo.
As a national network, the Red Cross helps ensure blood is available for patients whenever and wherever it is needed. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day for patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals across the country and couldn’t fulfill its mission without partners like the Oklahoma City Zoo.
During the month of September, Sport Clips Haircuts and the Red Cross are teaming up to offer a coupon for a free Sport Clips haircut via email to those who come to give. The coupon will be emailed several days after donating and is valid through Nov. 11, 2018, at participating Sport Clips locations. Donors must have a valid email address on record to receive the coupon.
How to donate blood
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
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.
About the Oklahoma City Zoo