PORTER RANCH, California — September 2026 — Ladies of Porter Ranch (LOPR) is partnering with the American Red Cross to host a community blood drive on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Vineyards at Porter Ranch, bringing residents together to help strengthen theblood supply while raising awareness during Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

September is nationally recognized as Sickle Cell Awareness Month, bringing attention to an inherited blood disorder that affects approximately 100,000 people in the United States. Most people living with sickle cell disease are African American or of African descent, and the disease affects approximately 1 out of every 365 African American babies born in this country.

For many people living with sickle cell disease, blood transfusions can provide lifesaving treatment by replacing sickled red blood cells with healthy red blood cells, helping deliver oxygen to tissues and organs and improve blood flow. Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to become hard and crescent-shaped instead of soft and round, which can make it difficult for blood to flow smoothly and may result in severe pain,
organ and tissue damage, or stroke.

The Red Cross is working to grow a diverse blood supply to help meet the needs of patients
living with sickle cell disease. According to the Red Cross, 1 in 3 African American blood donors are a match for people with sickle cell disease, and Black blood donors are almost three times more likely to be a match for the blood most commonly needed by these patients compared with donors who are not Black or African American. Because some patients require frequent transfusions, finding closely matched blood can be especially important in helping reduce
transfusion-related complications.

“Ladies of Porter Ranch has always been about women coming together and turning community into action,” said the founders of Ladies of Porter Ranch. “During Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we have an opportunity to not only raise awareness, but to do something tangible that can directly impact someone’s life. We’re inviting our members, our families, our neighbors and the greater North Valley community to join us and give blood.”

The September blood drive reflects LOPR’s
ongoing commitment to bringing women and families together around causes that make a meaningful impact throughout Porter Ranch and the greater Los Angeles
community.

The Ladies of Porter Ranch x American Red Cross Community Blood Drive will take place on Friday, September 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Vineyards at Porter Ranch in Porter Ranch, California. The event will bring together Ladies of Porter Ranch, the Red Cross, and members of the greater Porter Ranch and Los Angeles communities to help strengthen the blood supply while raising awareness about the ongoing need for blood donations during Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Eligible community members are encouraged to make an appointment and participate in the blood drive.

Sign up to donate blood and reserve your appointment at: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=LOPR

About Ladies of Porter Ranch

Ladies of Porter Ranch (LOPR) is Southern California’s fastest-growing community for women dedicated
to connection, collaboration, community engagement and giving back. The organization brings together hundreds of women across Porter Ranch and the
greater Los Angeles area through community events, networking opportunities, charitable initiatives and partnerships that support local families and
important causes. Ladies of Porter Ranch was founded by Shanti Hoffman, Asiah Collins, Andrea Ledezma, XiXi Yang, Cheyenne Davis and Kristina Oropeza, who
came together with a shared vision of building a meaningful community for women while harnessing their collective reach to create a positive impact throughout the region. Through its community initiatives and charitable partnerships, Ladies of Porter Ranch continues to mobilize its members around opportunities
to connect, serve and strengthen the communities they call home.

For more information, visit LadiesofPorterRanch.com

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.