FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS: MOLLIE McKINLEY; KRISTI BROWN

Carolina Blood Services; American Red Cross Blood Center, 100 Edgewood Rd., Asheville, NC;

828-258-3888

RED CROSS ENCOURAGES BLOOD DONORS TO ‘GIVE A LITTLE, BUY A LOT!' WITH CHANCE TO WIN A $1000 SHOPPING SPREE

Asheville, NC - Each time a blood donor gives the gift of life, he or she gets something back - the knowledge that in taking the time to donate one unit of blood, they may have saved up to three lives. >From October 1 to December 31, 2008 blood and platelet donors will get even more back when they are entered to win a $1000 gift card courtesy of The American Red Cross.

Blood Donor Center at 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville.

Asheville Blood Center Hours DURING OCTOBER:

Mondays 12:30pm-5:30pm

Tuesdays 3:00pm-7:30pm

Wednesdays 9:00am-1:30pm

Thursdays 9:00am-1:30pm

Friday, October 3 9:00am-1:30pm

Saturday, October 4 9:00am-2:30pm

Sunday, October 12 9:00am-1:30pm

Positive photo ID is required and appointments are strongly suggested. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE for an appointment or 1-877-975-2835 for platelet donations.

The "Give a Little, Buy a Lot!" campaign is aimed at increasing blood and platelet donations during a time of year when distractions due to school schedules and the holidays often lead to a dangerous dip in the available blood supply. Anyone who gives blood or platelets through the Red Cross during the promotion period will be automatically entered to win one of three gift cards.

"This is a critical time of year for blood and platelet donations," said Robert F. Fechner, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. "In addition to the gifts they'll give to family and friends this holiday season, we're asking people to also take the time to give the gift of life. This shopping card is one way we can show generous donors how much we appreciate that gift."

The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region provides life-saving blood to 103 hospitals and needs approximately 1,600 people to give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders, and other illnesses receive life-saving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given safely every two weeks, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people age 17 and older, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or visit redcrossblood.org.