WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN THE RED CROSS
SAVE A LIFE AND GO FAR WITH CITGO GAS CARD GIVEAWAY
Two lucky donors take home $1,500 worth of gas cards

(Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005) ATLANTA – Giving the gift of life earlier this summer
cost two metro Atlanta residents nothing but it did earn each of them $1,500 in free gasoline. Emily Huzl, a blood donor residing in Atlanta, and Shane Pinson, a platelet donor from Norcross, are the lucky winners in the American Red Cross Save A Life and Go Far With CITGO Sweepstakes.

All presenting donors at any American Red Cross blood or platelet drive between June 1 and July 31, 2005 had a chance to register to win one of two prizes of $1,500 in CITGO gift cards good toward the purchase of gasoline. Huzl donated blood at a drive held at her midtown office in July while Pinson donated platelets at the American Red Cross’ Duluth Donor Center in June.

Both were surprised and delighted when they were informed their names had been pulled and that for the next year or so, they wouldn’t have to spend a dime on gasoline.

Huzl first donated blood last August after feeling an urge to do something for someone else. “I’ve been very blessed in my life, I’ve been healthy all my life, so I just felt it was time to give back and do something to help the community. I started giving blood and I’ve continued because it’s been a great experience,” says Huzl, the first person to make an appointment to donate at her company’s blood drive.

Huzl thought little about the entry form she submitted until she got a call from the Red Cross’ marketing department informing her she had won the gas cards. “I was so happy,” says Huzl. She says donating blood is a habit she is prepared to keep up.

Pinson, who has also donated blood, says winning the gas cards is “a special treat. There isn’t a lot of recognition for those who donate, so it’s nice to win something.” Pinson began donating platelets after a colleague was diagnosed with cancer. Platelets are needed by patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. “I also had an employee who donated platelets once every two weeks. He told me about his donation experience and I decided to give it a try. The experience is very rewarding,” says Pinson.

Blood is needed for emergencies and for people who have cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses. Some people need regular blood transfusions to live. The American Red Cross is currently on appeal for blood donors, especially those with type O blood.

Most healthy people at least 17 years of age or older, who weigh at least 110 pounds, can donate blood. Donating blood only takes an hour from registration to refreshments. To find a convenient place to donate blood or to make an appointment to donate, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or log on to www.givelife.org.

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