Country Music Sensation Pat Green Receives Red Cross National Award

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, July 25, 2007 — Today, Mark W. Everson, President and CEO of the American Red Cross, presented three-time Grammy-nominee, Pat Green, with a special Crystal Cross award for his service to the organization.  The award presentation was immediately followed by a special performance by Pat and his band for the volunteers, employees and supporters of the Red Cross. 

Country music sensation and Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet member, Pat Green, receives a Crystal Cross award from Mark W. Everson, President & CEO, American Red Cross on Tuesday, July 24. (Photo Credit: Bill Crandall)

Pat, who is presently performing in Kenny Chesney’s 2007 “Flip Flop Summer Tour,” is a member of the Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet, and has worked tirelessly over the last several years to promote the importance of blood donations at his various concert stops across the country.  Pat often encourages his fans to gift the gift of life by donating blood to the Red Cross.

“Pat has contributed greatly by spreading the message to country music fans everywhere that Americans should roll up their sleeves and donate blood,” said Mark W. Everson, President and CEO of the Red Cross.  “This is especially important during the summertime months, when travel plans make it more difficult for people to donate regularly.” 

In addition to being a blood donor himself, Pat has recorded Red Cross radio public service announcements to promote the importance of blood donation, which can be downloaded here:
http://www.redcross.org/press/psa/psaRadio.html#biomedical.  He also features the Red Cross on his website, www.patgreen.com, and on his MySpace page, www.myspace.com/patgreen.

“It meant a lot to get this award from the Red Cross,” said Pat, who started giving blood when he was in college.  “Anything I can do to help the Red Cross promote blood donations—especially during the summer—is on the top of my ‘to do’ list. Giving blood is giving the gift of life.”

To learn more about blood donation, visit www.redcross.org, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.givelife.org or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. 

The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross, the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work.