Square Enix®, the company behind the FINAL FANTASY® gaming franchise, recently joined forces with the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region and Red Cross Blood Services to launch the #StormBloodDrive at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, or E3— which took place June 13, 14, and 15 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  The launch of the drive coincided with the debut of the second expansion of FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE, and gave donors the opportunity to donate blood in the newly-themed (and super cool) FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood bloodmobile.

Included in this partnership was a donation to the American Red Cross from the gaming giant, in the amount of $50,000. On why Square Enix chose to partner with the American Red Cross, Marketing Director, MMO at Square Enix, Morten Haugaard stated, “Whether it's in a game or in real-life, everyone needs a helping hand. That's why we've joined forces with the Red Cross and their important mission to help save lives.”

During the Electronic Entertainment Expo, attendees, gamers, and RedCrossers alike lined the block for a chance to donate blood inside the #Stormblood bloodmobile. But, anyone who may have missed the opportunity to donate during E3 can still catch the FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood bloodmobile this summer, as it sponsors drives throughout Southern California to help ensure blood and blood products are available for anyone, anywhere.

A single blood donation can potentially save up to three lives and here at the Red Cross, we urge those who have never given blood before – as well as those who haven’t given recently – to make an appointment today. Your blood donation will help greatly in sustaining a sufficient blood supply throughout the summer months.

As a thank you to those who came by to give blood during E3, Square Enix provided donors with a commemorative FINAL FANTASY XIV: Stormblood T-shirt, as well as a chance to win the highly anticipated second expansion of the FINAL FANTASY XIV game.

To find out where the #Stormblood bloodmobile will be next, or to find a blood drive near you, visit RedCrossBlood.org  or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).