Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
What: Red Cross & the Shark Reef of Mandalay Bay Blood Drive
When: Friday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Where: South Convention Center at Mandalay Bay, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
LAS VEGAS (Oct. 25, 2022) — The American Red Cross of Nevada is joining with the Shark Reef for a blood drive, Friday, Oct. 28. Donors receive free parking and a ticket to the aquarium.
“We are urging residents to give blood this Friday. Then take the kids, who are out of school for Nevada Day, to the Shark Reef,” said Rachel Flanigan, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “Everyone is invited to ‘roll up a sleeve’ and become part of a lifesaving team that helps ensure cancer patients, trauma victims, and others have blood products available for emergency and everyday medical care.”
Those who donate will receive free parking on Oct. 28 and one entry ticket to the Shark Reef, valid until Dec. 16, 2022. As an additional thank you, those who give before Oct. 31 will receive a $10 e-gift card via email to a merchant of choice. (Terms apply. Visit rcblood.org/boo.)
The Shark Reef Blood Drive comes at an important time, according to Flanigan, as there is often a decrease in donations during the holiday season. “The Red Cross already faced a concerning drop in blood donations this summer,” she said. “The decline has caused our blood supply to shrink nearly 20 precent, and the availability of blood products will continue to drop if donations do not increase.”
Recent natural disasters have cancelled numerous blood drives in other areas of the country, also putting a strain on the nation’s blood supply, of which the Red Cross provides 40%, Flanigan said.
Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive by downloading the free Red Cross Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device and using the sponsor code SHARKREEF.
“In the United States, 62% of the population is eligible to give blood, but only 3% does,” said Flanigan. “Yet any of us – our friends, family, neighbors – could be in an accident or become ill some day and need blood. Friday’s donors will not only help boost the future blood supply, but also help those already in need of emergency lifesaving care or dependent on transfusions for medical treatment.”
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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
