Central Blood Bank and the Pittsburgh Steelers are holding their Annual Holiday Blood Drive on Monday, Dec. 26, 2011,and Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011,in the East Club Lounge at*Heinz Field from11 a.m. to 7 p.m. *both days.
The Steelers and Central Blood Bank held three drives earlier this season: a Fan Blitz Blood Drive in April, a Training Camp Blood Drive in August and a Locker Room Blood Drive in October. These drives collected more than 300* *units of blood. One unit of blood can save up to three area lives, meaning nearly 1,000 patients in the Pittsburgh area were helped by the volunteer blood donors at Steelers-sponsored drives.
"Central Blood Bank has seen great success at the blood drives we've held with the Pittsburgh Steelers this year," said Michele Tysarczyk, Executive Director of Central Blood Bank. "The units we've collected from Steelers fans have helped us supply the area hospitals we service, allowing them to provide blood for hundreds* *of area patients."
Donors who schedule and keep their appointment will receive their choice of a Steelers promotional item. On Dec. 27, donors will also have the opportunity to meet Ryan Clark, who will be stopping by the drive to thank donors. Free parking is available in Gold Lot 1A.
Appointments help make your donation experience faster and more convenient and are strongly preferred. Walk-ins will only be accepted until 5 p.m. Call Central Blood Bank at 412-209-7655 or visit www.centralbloodbank.org and search for the drive with group name Steelers.
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DONOR CRITERIA
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with signed parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. Most medications are accepted. Proper ID is required to donate blood. A Central Blood Bank or military ID, driver's license or employee badge with picture and full name are all approved forms of ID. A birth certificate along with a picture ID that includes the donor's full name will also be accepted.
CENTRAL BLOOD BANK
Established in 1951, Central Blood Bank is a not-for-profit organization. Central Blood Bank distributes 400,000 blood products annually to approximately 40 hospitals in western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio in meeting the need for patient transfusion therapy. The need for blood is constant, yet fewer than 5 percent of eligible donors regularly donate.
