Roller Derby leagues in Chicago are hosting Make 'em Bleed blood drives to save lives Oct. 28; time saving appointments are available online at redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: DERBY.
Make ‘em Bleed is part of World Roller Derby Week, a series of global events celebrating the only sport invented in Chicago. Roller derby continues to thrive and inspire generations of athletes and fans with almost 2000 leagues are skating, competing and giving back to their communities worldwide.
CHICAGO (PRWEB) October 23, 2017
Athletes from 11 Chicago-area Roller Derby leagues will host “First Blood,” the capstone event for the largest blood drive series in the US, Make ‘em Bleed, in partnership with the American Red Cross and Brown Paper Tickets, Sunday, Oct 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Red Cross of Chicago & Northern Illinois, 2200 West Harrison Street Chicago, IL 60612. Time-saving appointments for donors are available online at http://www.redcrossblood.org, sponsor code DERBY.
The Chicagoland roller derby leagues hosting First Blood are Midwest Allstars, Summit, Ill., Northern Illinois Junior Roller Derby, Channahon, Ill.,Chicago, Chicago Outfit, Chicago, Ill., Aurora 88s, Aurora, Ill., Chicago Bruise Brothers, Lombard, Ill., Chicago Red Hots, Cicero, Ill., Lombard Rec N Roll, Lombard, Ill., Vindicated Vixens, Tinley Park, Ill., Dupage Derby Dames, Roselle, Ill., South Shore Roller Girls, Hammond, Ind., and Illiana Derby Dames, Lynwood, Ill.
The Make ‘em Bleed roller derby blood drive series has collected more than 1,100 units of blood over the past 4 years -- enough to save up to 3,300 lives. Just as in the other Make ‘em Bleed blood drives being hosted by leagues nationwide, Chicago roller derby athletes in full uniform and skates will offer autographs, photo opportunities and roller derby-themed temporary tattoos to inspire a record-breaking number of life-saving blood donations.
“The Make ‘Em Bleed blood drives provide a fantastic atmosphere, with roller derby athletes skating in uniform, refreshments, giveaways and an all-around good time,” said Justin Mueller, representative for the American Red Cross.“Make ‘Em Bleed has really made a difference to help ensure blood is available for patients in need.”
The Make 'em Bleed roller derby blood drive series is part of World Roller Derby Week, a series of events around the world celebrating the only sport invented in Chicago. One of only three major sports invented in the United States, roller derby continues to thrive and inspire generations of athletes and fans. Currently, almost 2000 women’s, men’s and junior leagues are skating, competing and giving back to their communities worldwide.
The Make ‘em Bleed roller derby blood drive series was created by Brown Paper Tickets and by Jerry Seltzer, the son of the inventor of roller derby, Leo Seltzer.
“Community service is written in the charter of most roller derby leagues, so partnering roller derby with Not-Just-For-Profit ticketing company Brown Paper Tickets and the American Red Cross is a match made in heaven,” said Seltzer, who is also a representative for Brown Paper Tickets. Brown Paper Tickets is also the top seller of tickets to roller derby events worldwide.
To schedule a convenient appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: DERBY.
The first Make ‘em Bleed roller derby blood drive for 2018 will be Saturday, Jan 13, 2018 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, hosted by Tulsa’s Roughneck Roller Derby from noon to 6 p.m. at Rhema Bible Church,1025 W Kenosha St, Broken Arrow, OK.
Make ‘em Bleed roller derby blood drive dates and locations for 2018 are being added and updated weekly. For the latest news, check
http://community.brownpapertickets.com/wp/redcross-blood-drives-roller-derby/. Follow the roller derby blood drives at #makeembleed. If you would like your local roller derby league to host a Make ‘em Bleed blood drive, contact derbyblooddrive(at)gmail(dot)com.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: In-studio or telephone interviews with your local roller derby league and all people quoted in this story, along with high-resolution photos, video of a Make ‘Em Bleed roller derby blood drive and more are available. Contact Barb Morgen at derbyblooddrive(at)gmail(dot)com or at 206.785.9104 for assistance in getting what you need to build your story.
About the American Red Cross:
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.
About Brown Paper Tickets:
Brown Paper Tickets (brownpapertickets.com) provides easy, reliable online event registration and ticketing with the lowest fee, the highest level of service, and the largest commitment to roller derby and to social responsibility in the ticketing industry. The ticketing company donates 5 percent of the profits from every ticket sold, pays employees to work 40 hours each year for the cause of their choice, and employs a team of experts in roller derby to give free assistance, and to help the sport grow and thrive.
- All giveaway items are provided while supplies last.