News: Red Cross Teams up with Washington Redskins to Thank Fans for Giving

(Nov. 23, 2011) - The American Red Cross and the Washington Redskins are teaming up for a series of ‘Burgundy and Gold’ blood drives this Thanksgiving week, including more than 40 participating locations between Nov. 23–26. For a complete list of locations and more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org/redskins.


Participating locations will provide all presenting blood donors a collectible Redskins T-shirt. Two select locations will also provide one ticket to an upcoming Redskins game to every participant, courtesy of the Red Cross. Redskins’ cheerleaders and legendary alumni players, Gary Clark and Ed Simmons, will attend tomorrow’s Continental Event Center Redskins blood drive in Manassas, Va.

Each day, the local Region of the Red Cross must collect more than 1,200 blood donations to meet the needs of patients in more than 50 area hospitals. Donated blood is separated into components, so every donation can help as many as three patients in need of a transfusion. More than 5,000 area participants attended a series of Red Cross Redskins blood drives last football season. During last year’s events, Redskins blood drive attendees made donations that may have helped more than 13,000 hospital patients in need of a blood transfusion.

“With the Redskins support, we are able to offer potential blood donors a unique Redskins incentive and experience that encourages blood donations,” said Gary J. Ouellette, CEO for the GC&P Region of the Red Cross. “This helps us meet patient need and it’s exciting to thank blood donors by providing them a collectible t-shirt or Redskins game ticket. The Red Cross encourages all eligible community members to attend.”

“The Redskins are committed to help the Red Cross provide a safe and adequate blood supply for our communities and raise awareness on the importance of blood donation,” said Mitch Gershman, CMO, of the Washington Redskins.