WASHINGTON, May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
American Red Cross urges blood and platelet donors to choose their
day to give and help ensure blood is available for patients all
summer long during its annual summer awareness campaign, sponsored
by Suburban Propane.
"Many Americans will be celebrating the unofficial start to
summer this Memorial Day weekend, but
seasonal activities that bring joy to so many can also lead to a
shortage of blood and platelet donations when regular donors become
busy," said Donna M. Morrissey,
director of national partnerships for the Red Cross Biomedical
Services. "Patients don't get a summer holiday from needing
lifesaving blood and platelet donations and are counting on
generous volunteers to help maintain a sufficient supply this
summer."
To encourage donations around the Memorial Day holiday, those who come to give
blood or platelets from May 27-31
will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last. The Red
Cross relies on volunteer donors for the 14,000 blood donations
needed every day to support patients at about 2,600 hospitals and
transfusion centers nationwide. However, during the summer months
of June, July and August, about two fewer donors schedule an
appointment to give blood at each Red Cross blood drive than what
patients need.
Suburban Propane supports the Red Cross summer
campaign
As official national sponsor of the summer
campaign, which begins Memorial Day
weekend and runs through Labor Day
weekend, Suburban Propane will help promote the need for blood and
platelet donations and will encourage its employees and customers
to give.
"Suburban Propane is proud to partner with the Red Cross and
help raise awareness of the ongoing need for blood and platelets –
especially during the crucial summer months," said Suburban
Propane's Chief Development Officer Mark
Wienberg. "By expanding our partnership with the Red Cross
this year, we can continue to support the life-changing work of the
Red Cross and make an even bigger difference in communities across
the country."
Suburban Propane employees will also volunteer at Red Cross
blood drives nationwide in one of the largest national volunteer
commitments to the Red Cross Blood Services from a corporate
partner. Additionally, this year Suburban Propane is expanding its
partnership with the Red Cross to include participation in the Home
Fire Campaign in some markets, as well as support for disaster
relief efforts and Service to the Armed Forces.
The Red Cross has touched the lives of many Suburban Propane
employees including Debbie Traub. In
May 2014, her 74-year-old father fell
from a ladder while power washing his home and suffered
life-threatening injuries. He spent 20 days in the intensive care
unit and received many blood transfusions. Traub said that she
now knows the importance of giving blood and makes a point to
donate in honor of her father at the Suburban Propane headquarter
blood drives. Her story is just one of many reasons Suburban
Propane continues to advocate for blood and platelet donations to
the Red Cross.
"The Red Cross has partnered with Suburban Propane since 2012,
and last year's '100 Days of Summer. 100 Days of Hope.' campaign
marked our first nationwide, summerlong partnership," said
Morrissey. "The Red Cross depends on corporate partners like
Suburban Propane to help ensure blood and platelets are available
for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions and to help our
communities prepare for and respond to disasters large and
small."
About donating blood
For more information and to make
an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood
Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS
(1-800-733-2767). Donors of all blood types are needed. 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 (16
with parental consent in some states), 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 donors can now 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, prior to
arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit
redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the
site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross
shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of
disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches
skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid;
and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is
a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the
generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more
information, please visit redcross.org or
cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter
at @RedCross.
About Suburban Propane
Suburban Propane Partners,
L.P. (NYSE:SPH) is a nationwide distributor of propane, fuel oil
and related products and services, as well as a marketer of natural
gas and electricity. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey, Suburban serves the
energy needs of approximately 1.1 million residential, commercial,
industrial and agricultural customers through 700 locations in 41
states.
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SOURCE American Red Cross