Media Contact:
Brianna Kelly, Regional Communications Manager
brianna.kelly@redcross.org
SAN DIEGO (June 30, 2023) – Calling all Shark Week fin-atics: The American Red Cross and the Living Coast Discovery Center invite community members to dive in and help save lives at an exciting blood donation opportunity on Sunday, July 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at The Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista.
“For the second consecutive year, the Red Cross is teaming up with the Living Coast Discovery Center and Discovery Channel’s Shark Week to help save lives,” said Dharma Nichols, American Red Cross Southern California Region Blood Services District Manager. “Every day, blood donors help patients in our community and nationwide. We appreciate the Living Coast Discovery Center opening their doors and encouraging the community to roll up a sleeve to help hospital patients.”
Sharks are vitally important to the health of the planet - just like blood donors play an equally important role in helping keep the national blood supply healthy and strong. The need for blood products doesn’t take a summer break.
All presenting donors will receive an exclusive Shark Week shirt from Discovery, while supplies last, plus free admission to The Living Coast Discovery Center (blood drive appointment required).* In addition, all those who come to give blood will be automatically entered to win a three-night New York getaway for two with a private shark dive adventure at Long Island Aquarium.**
“With the support of Discovery and the Living Coast Discovery Center, we’ll keep the blood supply steady for patients this summer,” continued Nichols.
HOW TO DONATE
Download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code LIVINGCOAST to make your appointment to donate. 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.
*Free admission to The Living Coast Discovery Center is for presenting blood donors only, courtesy of The Living Coast Discovery Center. Paid admission is required for guests of blood donors who are not donating blood.
**Terms apply: rcblood.org/shark
About the Living Coast Discovery Center
The Living Coast Discovery Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoo and aquarium located on the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Founded in 1987 as the Chula Vista Nature Interpretive Center, it has served the San Diego community for over 30 years. The Living Coast Discovery Center inspires the community to connect with and care for our coastal environment. For additional information, visit thelivingcoast.org.
About the American Red Cross Southern California Region
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 public to perform its mission. The Red Cross Southern California Region proudly serves San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties. In addition to carrying out disaster preparedness and response programs, blood collection, health and safety training, international services programs and supporting the military community, the Southern California Region provides nutritional counseling through its Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in San Diego and helps communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters through its Prepare SoCal and Prepare San Diego initiatives. For more information, please visit redcross.org/SoCal or cruzrojaamericana.org, or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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