LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17, 2020 — The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region and FOX 11 LA teamed up for a blood appointment telethon to replenish blood supplies in Southern California on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Alongside the Red Cross volunteers, members of FOX 11 and celebrity guests, including Elisabeth Rohm and Dr. Drew Pinsky, urged people to pick up the phone and make an appointment to donate blood and save a life.
SEE: Photos of the Red Cross LA-FOX 11 Blood Drive Telethon (Flickr)
Red Cross volunteers and members of FOX 11 took calls and set up appointments to help ensure blood products are available for patients during National Blood Donor Month, a time to celebrate the lifesaving impact of blood and platelet donors. This month also coincides with one of the most difficult times to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients. The original goal of 400 registered blood donor appointments for the first-of-its-kind telethon was surpassed early in the day and reached more than 1,500 registered blood donor appointments.
The blood appointment telethon featured stories and interviews with blood recipients, donors and community leaders and a behind-the-scenes look at how blood donations are processed and shipped to hospital patients from the local manufacturing facility.
SEE: Story of Mario Moralez on FOX 11 LA – story of the family of a boy who had cancer and continues to donate blood, crediting those donations for helping save his life. (FOXLA.com)
“This is just a privilege,” said Bill Lamb, Vice President and General Manager of KTTV and KCOP. “I've been giving blood since I was in high school and I consider it a privilege every time I do. It's helping people you’ll never meet. You just do it.”
In addition to answering phones, 41 individuals, including celebrity guests and FOX 11 reporters and anchors also donated blood during an in-studio blood drive. Fox 11 entertainment reporter Amanda Salas, who discussed the importance of blood donations for those in need of blood transfusions, told the touching story of her battle with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, spurring more phone calls and the last push of 100+ donation signups.
The first 500 callers to make an appointment on Wednesday also received special gift from FOX 11 and the Red Cross. In addition, as a special thank-you, all who donate blood Jan. 1-19, 2020, will automatically be entered for a chance to experience the Super Bowl LIV live. The Red Cross and NFL have teamed up to offer one winner two tickets to Super Bowl, entry to the official NFL Tailgate, tickets to Super Bowl Experience at the Miami Beach Convention Center, round-trip airfare to Miami, three-night hotel accommodations at The Alexander - All Suite Oceanfront Resort, and a $500 gift card for expenses.* Additional details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
HOW YOU CAN HELP Volunteer blood and platelet donors are needed to help save lives. Eligible individuals are encouraged to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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/la or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.