*Come give blood to help save lives and get health information to impact your own life!
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 24, 2015) –The American Red Cross is partnering with the Tennessee Titans and Saint Thomas Health for the first-ever "Give and Get" blood drive and health fair on Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the East Club at Nissan Stadium.
"We are thrilled to host this inaugural event at Nissan Stadium with our partner, Saint Thomas Health and the American Red Cross to help emphasize the need for blood donations and to provide information to help us all lead a healthier lifestyle ," said Lynne McCracken, client services coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. "We recognize the tremendous need in our community and this is a great opportunity to help improve lives."
Everyone who comes to give blood will receive a football stress ball, and all donors who pre-schedule an appointment will receive a commemorative t-shirt, while supplies last.
Titans cornerback Jason McCourty will serve as ambassador for the event and will make an appearance. Jason and his twin brother, Devin, have executed a successful "Tackle Sickle Cell" campaign and he will share information about sickle cell disease and the importance for blood donations for patients with the disease.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy fun photo opportunities with periodic afternoon and evening appearances by T-Rac and the Titans Cheerleaders!
Saint Thomas Health will hold a health fair that will include blood glucose screenings, blood pressure checks, massage demonstrations, cooking classes, nutrition tips and much more.
"Saint Thomas Health values collaboration in saving lives and improving our community's health," said Dawn Rudolph, chief experience officer at Saint Thomas Health. "We hope that donors will enjoy the health fair activities and spend some time taking care of themselves as they serve others."
"The Red Cross appreciates the Titans support of our mission to help save lives," said Matt Carver, director of collections for the Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. "We rely on the generosity of volunteers and this is a great opportunity for donors to support our community and home team."
The "Give and Get" Blood Drive comes at an important time for the Red Cross. The Red Cross is facing a looming shortage of the blood types most needed by patients and is calling on eligible donors with O negative, B negative and A negative blood to give now to prevent an emergency situation. The Red Cross also needs platelet donors and those with type AB blood to help ensure the shelves are stocked for patients in need.
Donors will also be able to enter the national bone marrow registry through the partnership of Delete Blood Cancer DKMS. Delete Blood Cancer DKMS started with one family's search for a bone marrow donor and is today part of the world's largest bone marrow donor center. The organization has helped register more than 5 million potential donors and facilitated close to 48,000 transplants around the world. Delete Blood Cancer DKMS will provide the opportunity for people to register as potential donors at the event by completing a registration form and a cheek swab.
Free parking will be available the day of the blood drive in lot C at Nissan Stadium.
To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Titans or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
About Saint Thomas Health
Saint Thomas Health is Middle Tennessee's faith-based, not-for-profit health care system united as one healing community. Saint Thomas Health is focused on transforming the health care experience and helping people live healthier lives, with special attention to the poor and vulnerable. The regional health system includes nine hospitals: Saint Thomas Hospital for Spinal Surgery, Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and Saint Thomas West Hospital in Nashville, Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital in Murfreesboro, Saint Thomas Hickman Hospital in Centerville, Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital in Smithville, Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital in Sparta, Saint Thomas River Park Hospital in McMinnville and Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital in Woodbury. A comprehensive network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices, clinics and rehabilitation facilities complement the hospital services and cover a 68-county area. Saint Thomas Health is a member of Ascension, a Catholic organization that is the largest not-for-profit health system in the United States. For more information, visit www.STHealth.com.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
