Red Cross Grateful Life Tour Hits Clearfield County

JOHNSTOWN - Get out of your bean bag chair, turn off your lava lamp, turn on your classic rock ‘n roll CD and get ready to groove on over to your local American Red Cross blood drive.

The fab tie-dyed Grateful Life Tour is returning for limited engagements this summer at American Red Cross blood drives near you.

This year’s Grateful Life Comeback Tour will be featured at area Red Cross blood drives during July and August.

“We’re bringing back one of the most successful campaigns ever conducted in our 100-county service area,” stated Beth Sawyer Donor Resources Field Representative Greater Alleghenies Region, Red Cross Blood Services, adding, “The Tour was popular among all generations.” The region first held the Grateful Life Tour in 2003.

All presenting donors at designated Grateful Life Comeback Tour blood drives will receive a hand-dyed t-shirt, while supplies last (see attached image).
And, for those feeling nostalgic for 1960’s gas prices – about $0.35 a gallon – the Greater Alleghenies Region has added a gas card raffle to the mix.

All presenting donors at all Greater Alleghenies Region blood drives from July 1 through August 31 will automatically be entered in a drawing for a year’s supply of gasoline, valued at $2,400.00. Five runner-up prizes, consisting of one $100.00 gas card, will also be awarded.

She stressed that because of vacations and high schools being out of session, it’s vitally important that eligible individuals come back to donate blood during the summer.

“Every two seconds, someone in our country needs a blood transfusion. This need continues 24/7. Unfortunately although nearly 40 percent of the public may be eligible to donate blood, only 5 percent donate each year.”

The following area Red Cross blood drives will host the Grateful Life Comeback Tour:
• Monday July 14 Noon-6:00 Lawrence Hall-321 Mill Road Clearfield
• Monday August 4 Noon-6:00 Curwensville VFW-19 River Road
• Wednesday August 20 1:00-7:00 Karthaus Fire Hall-10 Hurxthal Street

To donate blood, individuals:
• Must be at least 17 years old (16 years old in Maryland and Pennsylvania with parental consent; 16-year-olds in Kentucky and Virginia eligible to donate with parental consent as of July 15, 2008)
• Weigh at least 110 pounds
• Be in generally good health

She stated, “Many individuals taking medication for chronic conditions may continue to donate blood. Those with specific eligibility questions should call 1-800-542-5663 and ask to speak to someone in Nursing Collections.”

Donation appointments may be scheduled at many Red Cross blood drives. To schedule your blood donation appointment where available, or to find a blood drive near you, visit www.redcrosslife.org or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543).

“The feel of our Grateful Life Comeback Tour is retro 1960’s, but patient need for blood products is very current. Please come back and donate blood!” Sawyer concluded.

The Greater Alleghenies Region directly serves hospitals, patients and donors in a 100-county area in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, with more than five-dozen blood products and related services, and also supports blood needs experienced by patients elsewhere in hospitals served through Red Cross Blood Services.

Gas for a Year” value based upon 12,000 miles driven annually at 20 mpg at $4.00 per gallon of gas. For complete rules, visit the Campaign section here.