Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 18, 2024) — Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals are teaming up with the American Red Cross of Utah for a blood drive on Friday, Jan. 26, urging the community to donate blood amid a severe nationwide blood shortage this winter. All donors participating in the blood drive will be entered into a drawing to win a ticket package.
“We are honored to assist our partners at the American Red Cross of Utah in this crucial lifesaving event,” said Kyle Schroeder, RSL Director of Community and Player Engagement. “Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals are committed to working with the community to help others, and we hope our efforts will inspire more people to become blood donors.”
The blood drive will take place at America First Field, 9256 S. State St., Sandy, on Friday, Jan. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors can schedule an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and using sponsor code, RSL.
Donate Blood and Win
In appreciation of their contribution, all donors will be entered into a drawing. Two fortunate donors will win four tickets and a parking pass for a RSL spring game, and all RSL blood drive donors will receive a link for discounted tickets. (The American Red Cross is not administering or overseeing this promotion. Please contact Real Salt Lake for promotion details.)
All donors also have a chance to win Super Bowl tickets thanks to a partnership between the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) during January, which is National Blood Donor Month. The Red Cross and NFL urge individuals to give blood or platelets and help tackle the emergency blood shortage. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Super Bowl.
Emergency Blood Shortage
The Red Cross announced earlier this month that it is experiencing the lowest number of people giving blood in the last 20 years, leading to an emergency blood shortage. The current demand for blood at hospitals exceeds incoming donations.
“We are grateful to Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals for supporting the Red Cross of Utah and our community by holding this blood drive,” said Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Utah Greater Salt Lake Chapter. “The only way we can end this blood shortage is through the generosity of our blood donors.”
The Red Cross plays a crucial role in maintaining the country's blood supply, contributing around 40% of all collected blood. To meet the needs of patients at over 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers, the Red Cross must collect 12,500 blood and 3,000 platelet donations daily. In Utah, approximately 45 hospitals rely on the Red Cross for their blood supply.
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.
