National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region

Media Contact:

Ashley Henyan

843-571-8945

Ashley.Henyan@redcross.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Donate Blood with a loved one in honor of Wendi Winters

$20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email for those who come to give in February

Washington, DC, Jan. 31, 2024 —With the Valentine’s Day holiday approaching, the Red Cross of the National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region invites compassionate community members to “share the love” and donate blood with “+1” on February 17, 2024 in memory of American Red Cross blood drive volunteer and journalist, Wendi Winters. Wendi tragically lost her life, alongside four others in the Capital Gazette workplace shooting on June 28, 2018.

Wendi Winters dedicated much of her life to serving those who needed help as a church youth adviser, a Girl Scout troop leader and a Red Cross volunteer. Her heroic actions in the 2018 shooting saved the lives of several colleagues; and since her passing, close to 2,500 units of blood have been donated in her honor.

Join us at this special blood drive on February 17, 2024  from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel located at 173 Jennifer Road Annapolis, Maryland 21401. Eligible donors can schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering the sponsor code ForWendi.

The national blood supply remains at critically low levels. Blood drives have been canceled in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood. As a result, nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations went uncollected in January 2024 alone. In addition to dangerous road conditions, many Americans have dealt with flight and shipping delays, and the Red Cross is no different. Snow, ice and extreme temperatures have made it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations.

Individuals are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all those who come to give Feb. 1-29, 2024, will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

The nation is currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. When fewer people donate blood, any disruption to blood donations – like winter weather systems – can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Generous blood donors are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care.

New Blood Donor Rewards program

Since announcing an emergency blood shortage in early January, thousands of donors across the country have answered the call to help. In appreciation for all those who take the time to help save lives, the Red Cross is pleased to launch an all-new Blood Donor Rewards program. This program offers a new way for the Red Cross to say thank-you for the generous donations that are critical to patients counting on lifesaving care. All donors will now earn points for their donations that accumulate each time they roll up a sleeve to give. Donors automatically started earning points on Jan. 1, 2024, and they can redeem

points any time of year to receive e-gift cards or save them to redeem and claim an exclusive Red Cross merchandise item in the next calendar year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Rewards.

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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