Red Cross rewards blood donors as summer winds down

CLEVELAND, Ohio (August 29, 2013) — With the arrival of Labor Day and the unofficial end to summer, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to roll up a sleeve and give blood or platelets to help ensure sufficient supplies over the holiday weekend.

Those who present to donate between Aug. 26 and Sept. 9 could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards, and all donors will walk away with the instant gratification that they may be helping to save more than one life.

“The summer may be coming to an end, but the work of the Red Cross is far from over,” said Christy Sabaka, Communications Program Manager of the Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region. “As you make plans for this Labor Day holiday, please also make time to give blood and help patients who depend on your lifesaving donation.”

While thousands of people answered the call for blood and platelet donations issued by the Red Cross earlier this summer, an urgent need remains for platelets and types O negative, A negative and B negative blood. The summer months can be especially difficult to collect enough blood and platelet donations to keep pace with patient needs.

To help spur additional donations over the Labor Day weekend, all presenting blood and platelet donors between Aug. 30 and Sept. 2 will also receive a complimentary Red Cross T-shirt. Live a story. Give a story. Donate blood or platelets. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org/summer for more information and to make an appointment to help save lives.