Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (June 29, 2025) — This summer, the American Red Cross of Utah is teaming up with goodr sunglasses to inspire blood donors to make a lifesaving impact while gearing up for their favorite outdoor activities. Blood donors will receive a pair of limited-edition Red Cross x goodr “Just My Type” sunglasses, perfect for running, hiking and other summer adventures, all while helping ensure patients have access to the blood they need.
“Summer is a time for outdoor fun and travel, but it’s also a time when accidents and medical emergencies can increase,” said Benjamin Donner, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter. “By donating blood, you’re helping ensure hospitals are ready to respond whenever and wherever patients need care.”
The Red Cross and goodr are joining forces in July to remind donors they’re just the type patients can count on. All who come to give between July 1-14, 2025, will receive an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr “Just My Type” sunglasses, while supplies last. Donors can even personalize their one-of-a-kind shades with a blood type sticker. For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/goodr.
Why Summer Donations Matter
Summer is a time when the need for blood remains constant, but donations often decline. With schools—key donation sites—on break and regular donors traveling, it can be challenging to maintain a steady blood supply. At the same time, increased travel and outdoor activities during the “100 Deadly Days of Summer,” the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, often lead to a rise in accidents and medical emergencies requiring blood transfusions.
The Red Cross plays a vital role in meeting this demand, collecting 40% of the nation’s blood supply to support more than 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers. To meet these needs, the Red Cross must collect approximately 12,500 blood donations and 3,000 platelet donations every day. In Utah alone, nearly 45 hospitals rely on the Red Cross for their blood supply.
Donors can conveniently schedule an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Urgent Need for Type O Blood
While all blood types are essential, the demand for type O blood is especially urgent. Type O positive is the most commonly transfused blood type, as about 85% of the population can receive it. Type O negative, the universal blood type, is critical in emergencies when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type.
A single significant accident can quickly deplete a hospital’s blood reserves. “It’s important that donors of all types give blood now,” said Donner. “The need for O negative blood, the universal blood type, is particularly critical to ensure trauma centers have the blood they need for emergency situations.”
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.
