Score one for life with the St. Louis Blues and Red Cross

Annual Blues Blood Drive scheduled Feb. 1

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues, Fox Sports Midwest, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and the American Red Cross encourage donors to help patients get back in the game by donating blood Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the annual St. Louis Blues Blood Drive. Fans will have the opportunity to give blood at eight locations in Missouri and Illinois. Everyone who presents to donate will receive a specially designed 50^th Anniversary Blues logo T-shirt, while supplies last.

This year’s Blues Blood Drive comes at a critical time as there is a shortage of blood products due to severe winter weather. In addition, the ice storm that hit the Missouri-Illinois Region earlier in January forced the cancellation of 20 blood drives resulting in over 650 units of blood that were uncollected.

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We have a vital need for blood donations to help ensure patient needs continue to be met,” said Todd Wagner, Director of Donor Recruitment, American Red Cross, Missouri-Illinois Region. “We are extremely grateful to the Blues and each of these locations for helping us answer the call at a critical time.”

The St. Louis Blues Blood Drive will be held Feb. 1 from 1-7 p.m. at the following locations. Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org and entering sponsor code Blues or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

St. Louis Blues Blood Drive

Missouri

Painters District Council 58, 2501 59^th St. in St. Louis

The Pointe, 1 Ballwin Commons Circle Drive in Ballwin

The Heights, 8001 Dale Ave. in Richmond Heights

River Chase, 990 Horan in Fenton

Meramec Arnold Elks Lodge, 1515 Miller Road in Imperial

The Mills, 5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd. in Hazelwood

Calvary Church, 3898 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in St. Peters

Illinois

American Legion Post 365, 1022 Vandalia in Collinsville

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. 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 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.

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