Red Cross, in partnership with Universal
Pictures' new film, TWISTERS, encourages the public to give blood
and support disaster relief this July
WASHINGTON, June 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As the busy Fourth of July
holiday week gets closer, the American Red Cross asks donors to be
a powerful force for good by giving blood or platelets now and
in the weeks to come. You can be the difference between someone's
storm and their sunshine. Donors are critically needed right now
after a sharp decrease in donations since late spring. All blood
types are needed, especially donors giving type O blood and those
giving
platelets.
Full summer calendars and holiday plans may prevent regular
donors from being able to give. Additionally, significant summer
weather threats such as hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes can
result in travel hazards and blood drive cancellations that could
impact the blood supply. Help keep lifesaving blood products
stocked on hospital shelves and book a time to give
blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org,
calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor
App.
The Red Cross has teamed up with Universal Pictures for the
theatrical release of TWISTERS to help avoid a summer blood
shortage. All who come to give blood or platelets July 1-31 will get a Fandango Movie Ticket* by
email. Plus, those who come to give July
1-14 will also receive a one-of-a-kind TWISTERS and Red
Cross umbrella, while supplies last. BONUS: those who come to give
blood in July will also automatically be entered for a chance to
win a 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn®. See
RedCrossBlood.org/Twisters for full details.
Swarms of tornadoes and extreme flooding in recent months
have tragically taken lives and destroyed entire communities. Most
recently, millions of people have endured one of the longest
lasting and strongest heat waves in years, including large portions
of the Midwest. Unfortunately, in states like Arkansas, Ohio and Nebraska, many communities are still picking
up the pieces and recovering from the second most active tornado
season on record, according to the National Weather Service's Storm
Prediction Center.
"The Red Cross is grateful to have partners like Universal
Pictures who are not only lending this support to encourage blood
donations during this critical time of year but have also
generously donated to help support disaster relief," said Jennifer
Pipa, vice president of Disaster Programs for the Red Cross.
"Because of the climate crisis, the Red Cross is now launching
twice as many relief operations for major disasters than we did a
decade ago. And disasters are not only straining our relief
operations but also our ability to collect lifesaving blood
donations. So far this year we have collected 20,000 fewer blood
donations due to severe weather."
In just the first five months of the year, the Red Cross has
responded to 20 tornado related disasters across 13 states.
Unfortunately, meteorologists expect more powerful and destructive
storms to continue in the months to come as the effects of the
climate crisis continue. This year's outlook is part of a
years-long trend of more frequent and intense climate disasters,
such as hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and floods.
Dare to be a force of nature this summer. Give blood or make
a financial donation to the Red Cross by visiting
redcross.org.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red
Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED
CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa
Echo device to make an appointment or for 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. Individuals who are 17
years of age in most states (16 with parental
consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds
and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger
also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation
by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation
reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of
their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started,
follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the
Blood Donor App.
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.
* Fandango Promotional Code ("Code") is good
towards the purchase of one movie ticket (up to $15 total ticket price and associated fees and
charges) to see Twisters or any other movie at Fandango partner
theaters in the US. Code expires 12/31/24. FANDANGO and the
Fandango Logo are registered trademarks of Fandango Media,
LLC.
© 2024 Universal Studios, Warner Bros., Domain Pictures &
Amblin Entertainment
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SOURCE American Red Cross