(Thursday, Dec. 29, 2005) ATLANTA — The American Red Cross will start off the new year by celebrating National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, a tribute to all blood donors and a call-to-action for all eligible donors to give blood at least twice in 2006.

“January is an extremely difficult time to maintain an adequate blood supply because of recent holiday travel, school closings, winter illnesses and other factors that decrease the number of donors who are able to give blood early in the year,” said Candice Gulden, spokesperson for the American Red Cross Blood Services Southern Region. “The need for blood is ongoing, though, and the Red Cross encourages people to donate so that hospital patients are not at risk for going without the blood they need to survive. Despite advances in medical science, there still is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are our only source.”

For extra donor motivation during National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross will give everyone who comes to give blood or platelets through Jan. 15 a chance to win two Delta Air Lines roundtrip plane tickets and a seven-day Holland America Caribbean cruise for two. Beginning in mid-January, everyone who comes to donate will be entered in a drawing to win $15 off the price of an FTD floral arrangement and the grand prize of a $50 FTD gift certificate—just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. The Southern Region, one of 35 American Red Cross Blood Services regions throughout the country, provides lifesaving blood to patients in 140 hospitals in Georgia. To meet the needs of hospital patients in the region, the Red Cross must collect approximately 1200 units of blood a day. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and provide proof of identification.  Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE  or visit www.givebloodredcross.org to learn more or to schedule a blood donation appointment.