Media contact: Keith Paul
Regional Communications Director
keith.paul@redcross.org | 702-400-7680
SALT LAKE CITY (Aug. 10, 2025) — Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals are teaming up with the American Red Cross of Utah to host a community blood drive on Monday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at America First Field, 9256 S. State St., Sandy. The event encourages Utahns to help save lives by donating blood — and to gain valuable health insights through free A1C testing.
As a thank-you, all presenting donors will receive two tickets to their choice of the final four Utah Royals home games. Donors will also receive official Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals team gear, including hats, T-shirts and scarves.
“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.”
In addition to team tickets and gear, donors who give blood between Aug. 1–28, 2025, will also receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice. Free A1C testing will be available for all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations made Aug. 1–31, 2025. For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Test.
How to Participate
Donors can schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcross.org/GiveBlood or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and using sponsor code, RSL.
“We are incredibly grateful to partner with Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals for this vital blood drive,” said Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Greater Salt Lake Chapter. “The need for blood donations is constant, and events like this not only help save lives but also bring our community together in a powerful way. By donating blood, our community is giving hope to patients in need and making a lasting impact on their lives.”
Why A1C Testing Matters
Diabetes affects 1 in 10 Americans, yet nearly 25% of those living with the disease remain undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, about one-third of Americans face barriers to regular primary care.
The Red Cross’s free A1C screenings provide donors with critical health information. Donors will receive results within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or online donor portal. If an elevated A1C level is detected, the Red Cross urges donors to follow up with their healthcare provider.
This testing is part of the Red Cross’s ongoing commitment to community health, which also includes disaster relief, basic disaster health care and mental health support. In addition to A1C testing, all donors receive other health insights, such as pulse, blood pressure, body temperature and hemoglobin levels.
The Urgent Need for Type O Blood
While all blood types are needed, the demand for type O is especially high. Type O positive is the most transfused blood type, compatible with about 85% of patients. Type O negative — the universal blood type — is vital in emergencies when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type.
The Red Cross supplies 40% of the nation’s blood, supporting more than 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers. To meet national needs, the Red Cross must collect about 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.
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.
