American Red Cross | Central Ohio Blood Services Region




		Media Center Refuel hope for patients this May Come to donate and you could win up to $1,000 in free gas! May 4, 2009 COLUMBUS, Ohio — Summer is right around the corner and the American Red Cross and Marathon® want to fill up your gas tank all summer long! When you come to donate blood this May you can enter in the Grand Gas Giveaway to win free gas from Marathon®. There will be four weekly drawings for $100 gas cards and one grand prize drawing for a $1,000 gas card at the end of the month. "This May you can fuel the hope for patients in need and fill up your gas tank all summer long for free!” said Rodney Wilson, spokesperson for the local American Red Cross. Low blood supplies are typical from late May through September because regular donors and their families become busy with summer fun and may neglect to donate blood. At the same time, blood needs rise as increased roadway and travel-related accidents drain supplies — particularly during high travel weekends like Memorial Day. Someone seriously injured in an automobile accident, for instance, may need up to 40 units of blood for their emergency care. “We need everyone to make giving the gift of life a priority this May,” said Wilson. “If you wait to donate until someone you know needs blood, it may be too late.” Patients like Ohioan Michael Harper, who used 64 units of blood – enough to fill his body four times – depend on an adequate blood supply to be there. Donating blood only takes about one hour and can help save up to three lives. Help save a life today and you could be cruising with the windows down all summer long for free! Every presenting donor at participating drives will be issued an entry ticket for the "May Grand Gas Giveaway.” The winners for the $100 gas cards will be drawn weekly and notified. The winner for the $1,000 gas card will be drawn at the end of the promotion and notified. For more details, please see the complete Rules & Regulations.			Media contacts Central Ohio Blood Services (614) 253-2740 1-800-338-8086 Rodney J. Wilson Communications Manager extension 2347 e-mail Heather Reichle Communications Specialist extension 2275 e-mail Other Red Cross lines of service You can find your local Red Cross chapter by searching on redcross.org or by checking the white pages of your local phone directory. National media inquiries Click here for listings