Saving Lives is Easy as Pie

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Give thanks this Thanksgiving by giving the Gift of Life and receive a free pie 

MADISON, Wis. (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)– In the spirit of the holiday season, the American Red Cross is thanking its blood donors by giving donors a free pie at area blood centers during the week of Thanksgiving. These special Thanksgiving week blood drives are happening all over the Midwest in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. On Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, donors will receive one free movie pass at area blood centers.

Blood donation has become a favorite Thanksgiving Day tradition for many. “Donating blood is one of the simplest, most powerful things a person can do,” says Jane Prohaska of Saint Paul. “My husband and I get up early on Thanksgiving, go in and donate, and then come home and start cooking. Does the free pumpkin pie get us in the door? No. But it helps!”

Demand for blood is constant and the long holiday weekend poses a special challenge for community blood banks. “Many donors are traveling and spending time with family,” says Tony Procaccio, CEO of the local American Red Cross Blood Services region. “Blood donation appointments are easily forgotten – but the patients who depend on lifesaving blood can’t take a holiday break.”

On any given day, more than 38,000 blood donations are needed for patients throughout the United States. Accident victims, cancer patients, newborns, and people with chronic diseases all depend on blood and blood products to survive. Healthy donors are needed on a daily basis to ensure the Red Cross provides the blood that could give a person another chance at life.

Donating blood is one of the most caring and selfless acts you will ever do. For every life that’s saved, there is an entire community of people – family and friends – who are grateful for your gift. Make a difference this holiday season and give blood.

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE (1.800.448.3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be at least 17 years old and must weigh at least 110 pounds.

About the Red Cross
The Mid-America Division of the American Red Cross Blood Services supplies blood products to
nearly 250 hospitals in 10 states and across the nation. The Red Cross relies on the generosity of more than 370,000 volunteer blood donors, nearly 8,300 blood drive coordinators and more than 2,100 employees to collect the blood that helps save thousands of lives each year. The Mid-America Division is one of nine Red Cross Blood Services Divisions located throughout the United States. Together, these divisions collect more than 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply.
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