Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680

SALT LAKE CITY (March 12, 2026) — Utahns have until March 17 to receive an exclusive St. Patrick’s Day-inspired green long-sleeve T-shirt as a special thank-you from the American Red Cross. Available only to platelet donors, the limited-edition “Share Your Gold” shirt highlights the golden color of platelets, a blood component used in critical medical procedures.

Platelet donations are essential for patients undergoing cancer treatment, surgery and other serious medical care. With a short shelf life of just five to seven days, platelets must be constantly replenished to meet the needs of local hospitals and emergency care.

“Platelet donors give something patients depend on every day, and this is a small way to say thank you,” said Heidi Ruster, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region. “The St. Patrick’s Day T-shirt adds a little fun while highlighting the importance of platelet donations.”

What to Expect When Donating Platelets
Platelet donation, also known as apheresis, is a specialized process that separates platelets from the blood and returns the remaining components, plasma, red cells and white cells, to the donor. The procedure takes about two hours, during which donors can relax, watch a movie or listen to music. Platelets can be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year.

For those who recently donated blood, there’s good news, donors only need to wait seven days before they are eligible to donate platelets and receive the “Share Your Gold” T-shirt, while supplies last. For more details, visit redcrossblood.org/giveplatelets.

To provide donors with valuable health insights, the Red Cross of Utah is offering free A1C screenings for blood and platelet donors throughout March. This screening can help identify diabetes and prediabetes at no cost. Donors who give blood between March 1 and 31, 2026, will receive a $15 Amazon gift card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/March for details.

Utah Donation Centers Open Daily
Red Cross Blood Donation Centers in Salt Lake City, Lehi and Layton will be open every day during the Share Your Gold giveaway, making it convenient for Utahns to participate.

Salt Lake Donation Center
6616 South 900 East

• Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Thursday: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Lehi Donation Center
310 North 850 East

• Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Layton Donation Center
852 W. Hill Field Rd.

• Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• Thursday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

How to Schedule an Appointment
Donors can schedule an appointment today using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Use sponsor codes SaltLakeCityUT, LaytonUT or LehiUT to make an appointment at one of the Utah donation centers.

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.