American Red Cross | Central Ohio Blood Services Region




		Media Center Roll up your sleeve and see America AAA partners with Red Cross to give blood donor trip of a lifetime! December 1, 2008 COLUMBUS, Ohio – ‘Tis the season to give, and AAA is offering Red Cross blood donors who give the gift of life an opportunity to see America! Everyone who comes to give at participating blood drives in December and January can enter to win a weekly drawing for a $100 gas card and the grand prize, a $2,000 AAA travel voucher. Whether it’s winning a gas card to fund a cross country road trip or the grand prize to purchase plane tickets, the Red Cross wants to send lucky donors on a trip to see the heartland. “The holiday season proves to be a challenge for the Red Cross each year,” said Rodney Wilson, a spokesperson for the local American Red Cross. “We need everyone to come and embrace the spirit of the season and give to those less fortunate through the gift of blood donation.” During the holiday season, busy schedules sometimes hinder even the most dedicated donors from coming to give the gift of life. However, increased travels can lead to more traumatic injuries and may increase the need for blood. The Red Cross urges everyone to make donating blood a priority this winter. The Central Ohio Region needs at least 650 blood donors a day to meet patients’ need across the 27-county service area – regardless of holidays or vacations. Joining AAA and the Red Cross in helping save lives in December and January could mean hope for those in need, and could land you on a sunny beach in the Outer Banks or skiing in the Rocky Mountains, just for coming to donate a pint of lifesaving blood. Rules & Regulations Promotion Period: Monday, December 1, 2008, through Saturday, January 31, 2009 Prizes: Eight $100 gasoline gift cards and a $2,000 voucher from AAA to be used on vacation travel and accommodations of his/her choice Rules and Conditions: All presenting donors will be issued one entry ticket to be entered in the drawing. All references herein to the “Red Cross” shall mean the Central Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. Contest period begins Monday, December 1, 2008, and concludes at close of business on Saturday, January 31, 2009. All volunteer whole blood and apheresis donors are eligible to win; autologous, directed and therapeutic donors are not eligible. Presenting blood donors at Central Ohio blood donor centers will be issued one entry ticket. Entry tickets are nontransferable and have no cash value. The odds of winning are based on the number of entrants. Presenting apheresis donors will be issued one entry ticket for each apheresis donation made during the campaign period. Decision of the judges is final in determining the winners through an impartial drawing. Winners will be notified. Names of winners will be available by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. Winners must show valid ID to claim prize, and minors may accept the prize with ID and signed permission of a parent or legal guardian. Winners wishing to use the $2,000 voucher for travel expenses must be 21 years of age or older or be traveling with a parent or guardian 21 years of age or older. If the winner is not 21 years of age and has no legal accompaniment, he/she may use the voucher for Travel Store merchandise. The voucher cannot be redeemed for cash. The Red Cross is not responsible for accidents/damage to property or person incurred while using the grand prizes. Prizes are nonrefundable and cannot be combined with any other offer. American Red Cross paid staff members are not eligible to win. Void where prohibited. Blood drive sponsors have the right to decline participation. Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in general good health. 11/08AP898			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