Delta Air Lines is sending blood donors packing                         (Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005) ATLANTA – Delta Air Lines and the American Red Cross are sending blood donors packing for a family holiday.  All donors who come in to give blood or platelets with the American Red Cross between September 1st and 9th will be eligible to win four Delta roundtrip domestic tickets to fly a family home for the holidays.   “The Home for the Holidays program is a chance for a family to go home for the holidays and be with their loved ones, something that these donors give members of the community every day,” said Randy Edwards, chief executive officer of American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region. “Delta has found a great way of thanking blood and platelet donors. I can’t think of a better way of expressing gratitude to those who generously give the gift of life, than giving them the gift of family.”   MALL DRIVES  -- Saturday, Sept. 3rd through Monday Sept. 5th, noon to 5 pm Northlake Mall Center Court, Fountain Area, 1000 Northlake Mall, Atlanta Town Center Mall food court entrance, in store front across from Ruby Tuesday’s, 400 Barrett Pkwy, Kennesaw Gwinnett Place Mall lower level in store front near Parisians, 2100 Pleasant Hill Rd., Duluth Mall of Georgia  Mountain Court Area, 3333 Buford Dr., Buford Cumberland Mall Lower Level, Center Court near Guest Services, 1000 Cumberland Mall, Atlanta   DONOR CENTER DRIVES -- Thursday, Sept. 1st through Friday, Sept. 9th Alpharetta Donor Center 3000 Old Alabama Rd., Suite 110, Alpharetta Mon. 10 am – 7 pm, Tue.–Thu. 1 pm – 8 pm, Fri. 8 am – Noon, Sat. 8 am – 3 pm Camp Creek Donor Center 3645 Marketplace Blvd., Suite 180, East Point Tue. & Thu. 1 pm – 8 pm, Sat. 8 am -- 3 pm Cobb Donor Center Eastlake Shopping Center, 2145 Roswell Rd., Suite 250, Marietta Mon.-Wed & Fri. 7 am – 8 pm, Thu. 10 am – 4 pm, Sat. 8 am – 3 pm Duluth Donor Center 3090 Premiere Pkwy., Suite 500, Duluth Mon.-Thu. Noon – 8 pm, Fri. & Sat. 8 am – 4 pm Dunwoody/Sandy Springs Donor Center 1155 Hammond Dr., Bldg. A, Atlanta Mon.-Thu. Noon – 8 pm, Fri. & Sat. 8 am – 4 pm Midtown Donor Center 1925 Monroe Dr., Atlanta Mon.-Wed & Fri. 7 am – 8 pm, Thu. 10 am – 4 pm, Sat. 8 am – 3 pm South Metro Donor Center 675 Southcrest Pkwy., Suite 120, Stockbridge Tue. & Thu. 1 pm – 8 pm, Sat. 8 am – 3 pm   Blood is required for area patients everyday.  Currently all blood types are needed, however, those with blood types O and B are especially urged to come in and donate. All donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds.  Because blood cells replace themselves, people can safely give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks, up to 24 times each year.  For more information and to learn how to make a donation, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit WWW.GIVEBLOODREDCROSS.ORG.   ###