The American Red Cross announced today Drive 4 The Win, a college football blood drive competition to increase blood donations and help save lives. The Red Cross has tapped four college football teams and some of their top players for the ultimate matchup leading up to rival games on November 27.
Participating players include Smoke Monday, safety for Auburn University; Jordan Battle, defensive back for the University of Alabama; Mycah Pittman, wide receiver for The University of Oregon; and Markus Wheaton, former wide receiver for Oregon State University and former professional football player. Each athlete will challenge their respective school campuses and communities to help spread awareness and increase blood donations leading up to the big game.
“We are so thankful for the participating athletes and their schools for their involvement in this blood donation initiative,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, American Red Cross. “Donating blood is essential to help save the lives of patients who depend on the availability of blood. There is an emergency blood shortage right now, and what better way to spread awareness this time of year than to collaborate with these schools and athletes. The point of this drive isn’t the competition itself; it’s the long-lasting impact this competition has the potential to make in patients’ lives.”
The Red Cross currently faces an emergency blood shortage, with less than a day’s supply of certain blood types in recent weeks. The community is encouraged to find a blood drive on or off campus to donate and help boost blood supplies for hospital patients in need.
To make a blood donation appointment for Drive 4 The Win, download the Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Entertainment marketing agency FlyteVu.com managed and executed this program.
BLOOD DRIVE SAFETY Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are still eligible to donate blood and platelets. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they receive is important in determining blood donation eligibility. The Red Cross only collects blood from individuals who are healthy and feeling well at the time of donation.
ABOUT BLOOD DONATION 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.
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About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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