LOS ANGELES, August 25, 2021 — Once again, the American Red Cross and 95.5 KLOS came together to rock Southern California’s airwaves and host the 40th Annual 95.5 KLOS Blood Drive. This year’s blood drive helped collect 962 pints of blood surpassing initial collection goal estimates.
SEE: Photos of the 40th Annual 95.5 KLOS Blood Drive (Flickr)
For the past 40 years, KLOS has hosted one of the largest media-sponsored blood drives in the country, helping to maintain the region’s blood supply for more than 115 local hospitals.
The blood drive kicked off on Friday, Aug. 20, and wrapped up on Saturday, Aug. 21. Rock lovers across the Southland were invited to donate at any of the 14 blood drive sites throughout Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Ventura counties. As a thank you for making a difference, all presenting donors received a limited edition commemorative 2021 95.5 KLOS Blood Drive T-shirt and an e-gift card.
“KLOS and its generous listeners have answered the call by rolling up a sleeve and giving blood,” said Jay Winkenbach, the Regional Donor Services Executive for Biomedical Services. “This year more than 2,000 people will benefit from the simple action taken this weekend. We are thankful to all of the sponsors for hosting and all of the donors for giving.”
Saving lives for 40 years
Volunteer blood donors have helped make this annual summer event an enormous success since 1981. With the help of thousands of Southern California blood donors, the 95.5 KLOS Blood Drive has collected nearly 200,000 units of blood products during the past four decades for patients needing blood transfusions including transplant recipients, accident victims and cancer patients.
This year’s blood drive was held at a time when the Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing a call for donors to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need. There is a great hospital demand for blood as patients who previously deferred care during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now scheduled for surgeries. Hospitals are also responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
About blood donation
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that 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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.
About 95.5 KLOS/Meruelo Media:
KLOS has been shaping Southern California’s Rock & Roll DNA since 1969. Meruelo Media, an affiliate of the Meruelo Group, is the largest and fastest growing minority-owned media company in California. Meruelo Media also operates Los Angeles television stations KWHY-TV, channel 22, and KBEH, channel 63, and Los Angeles market radio stations KPWR 105.9 “Power 106,” 93.5 KDAY, Riverside/San Bernardino station 93.5 KDEY-FM, and 93.9 KLLI “CALI 93.9”.
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/la or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on Twitter at @RedCrossLA or @CruzRojaLA.