Give blood Nov. 18-Dec.8 and receive custom FRIENDS + Red Cross socks
It’s been 30 years since the iconic show FRIENDS first aired, and this November, the American Red Cross is asking donors to gather their friends and be there for patients by making a blood donation.
One in seven patients admitted to the hospital will require a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, emergency room visits tend to rise during the holidays—especially Thanksgiving—in part because of incidents like severe cuts, burns, car accidents and heart-related emergencies. Some of these incidents may require a blood transfusion. As visits to the ER increase, the number of blood donations often decrease. This challenge is further compounded as hurricanes have mounted an overwhelming toll on Americans and forced thousands of blood products to go uncollected this fall.
To help restock the shelves, the Red Cross is encouraging donors of all blood types to give as soon as possible, especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets. To celebrate 30 years of FRIENDS, all who come to give Nov. 18-Dec. 8 will receive two pairs of custom FRIENDS + Red Cross socks, while supplies last, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. Donors can keep a pair and gift a pair! For more details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Friends.
“Donating blood with friends isn’t just about making the experience more fun or creating shared moments with loved ones—it’s about saving lives,” said Darren Irby, executive director of Brand and Partnerships for the American Red Cross. “The need for blood is constant, and most people in need of lifesaving blood transfusions don’t expect it. However, in reality, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.”
In the spirit of FRIENDSgiving, donors can give with meaning. Those wishing to help patients make memories this holiday season can book a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Those who come to give through Nov. 17 will get a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. (Terms apply. See RedCrossBlood.org/Thanks.)
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.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
