(November 9, 2006, ATLANTA) – For many people, the summer months are a time of rest and relaxation. For the Red Cross, the summer months are especially stressful as schools, which account for approximately 25 percent of donations, are closed. When schools are out, the Red Cross looks to local companies and community groups to hold blood drives to replace the blood that would normally be collected at schools.
BellSouth is one such company that came forward to hold a summer blood drive. In fact, BellSouth retiree Bill Tichelaar of Lilburn, Georgia, is the lucky winner of the Red Cross' "Give A Little, Buy A Lot" promotion that blood and platelet drive participants entered throughout the month of August. Even though he has retired from BellSouth, he still comes back to give blood at their drives so that he can see all of his friends who also give blood regularly. Tichelaar was presented with his gift cards on November 9 during a scheduled blood drive at BellSouth Center, Atlanta.
According to Tichelaar, he was surprised and pleased when he found out that he had won. With the $1,000 gift cards, he will definitely be able to make some unexpected purchases. “I don’t have any item in mind now, but I will be looking,” said Tichelaar. Keeping in line with a true spirit of giving, Tichelaar added that “Christmas is coming soon, so I may be able to use part of it for someone else.”
The holidays might be coming up, but Tichelaar does plan to take time out of his busy schedule to give blood. “It’s quick, it doesn’t hurt, and you may save someone close to you,” added Tichelaar.
The American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region must have 1,200 people give blood each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell anemia, blood disorders, and other illnesses receive life-saving transfusions each day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Blood and platelet donors must be at least 17 years of age and weigh no less than 110 pounds. It is safe to give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks, up to 24 times each year. For more information or to make an appointment to give blood or platelets, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or log on to www.givebloodredcross.org.
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