(August 28, 2006, ATLANTA) – The American Red Cross recently announced that donor Charles Bozeman, a resident of Cobb County, Georgia, was chosen as the winner of the summer Sweepstakes, “Save a Life and Go Far with CITGO.” As the winner, Bozeman received $1,500 worth of gift cards from CITGO. The sweepstakes was open to all participants at Red Cross blood and platelet drives taking place the month of June.

Bozeman is a frequent blood and platelet donor at the Red Cross’ Cobb Donor

Center in Marietta, giving more than 100 times during the past 10 years. Even though he never expected to win the sweepstakes, he decided to go ahead and fill out the raffle slip anyway. “It takes a lot for me to be excited and I was really excited when the Red Cross called me to tell me I’d won,” said Bozeman.

According to Bozeman, giving blood is easy and convenient, which is one of the reasons he does it so often. “It doesn’t take long to give blood or platelets and you definitely get a sense of how much you are helping when you do it,” added Bozeman. “I always make sure to keep my appointment every other Tuesday, because I know hospital patients are counting on me.”

Blood is needed by about four million people in the United States each year, and the overwhelming majority would die without it. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source. Every day, accident victims as well as patients with cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses must receive life-saving transfusions.

Blood and platelet donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh no less than 110 pounds. It is safe to give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks. To learn more about blood donation or to make an appointment to give, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or log on to www.givebloodredcross.org.