National Roller Derby Blood Drive Attracts Donors from Coast to Coast
New York, New York (PRWEB) June 29, 2016 -- Athletes from the world’s top men’s and women’s roller derby leagues are encouraging blood donors to save lives with Blood for Life, the nation’s largest series of roller derby blood drives, in partnership with the American Red Cross and Brown Paper Tickets. Roller derby leagues coast to coast will offer autographs, photo opportunities and temporary tattoos to attract donors. The national roller derby blood drive series will launch at the American Red Cross headquarters in Manhattan, hosted by the New York Shock Exchange Saturday, July 16.
“It’s a fantastic atmosphere, with roller derby athletes skating in uniform, refreshments, giveaways and an all-around good time,” said Hanna Malak, representative for the American Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region. “The summer is one of the most difficult times for the Red Cross to collect blood, so Blood for Life roller derby blood drives have really made a difference to help ensure blood is available for patients in need.”
“Blood for Life roller derby blood drives have consistently attracted more donors because there is a deep connection between roller derby leagues and their communities – it’s a kind of love and loyalty that you just don’t see very often in professional sports,” said Jerry Seltzer, son of the inventor of the sport nearly 81 years ago, and its former commissioner.
“Community service is written in the charter of every roller derby league worldwide,” said Seltzer. “Partnering roller derby leagues with Brown Paper Tickets, a Not-Just-for-Profit event company and the American Red Cross is a match made in community service heaven.”
Blood for Life roller derby blood drive dates will be added weekly. For the most updated list of Blood for Life roller derby blood drives, go to http://community.brownpapertickets.com/wp/coast-to-coast-roller-derby-blood-drives-kick-off/
or http://www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: DERBY to view a list of dates, times and locations, as well as a link to sign-up for an appointment and for time–saving materials to be sent in advance. Appointments are strongly encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.
2016 Blood for Life Roller Derby Blood Drives:
Saturday, July 16 (New York, New York): Join the New York Shock Exchange from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the American Red Cross of Greater New York, Halls H and J, 520 West 49th Street.
Saturday, July 23 (Stony Brook, New York): Join the Strong Island Derby Revolution from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Stony Brook, 1 Circle Road.
Saturday, July 30 (New York, New York): Join the Gotham Girls Roller Derby and co-hosts Suburbia Roller Derby at a time to be announced at the American Red Cross of Greater New York, 520 West 49th Street, Halls H and J.
August 1-31 (Garden Grove, California): Access the High Tide Roller Derby Facebook Blood Drive https://www.facebook.com/hightidederby/ for links to set an appointment to donate blood at several different community blood drives in August, and to view selfies that the league is inspiring donors to post while giving blood.
Friday, Aug. 12 (Santa Cruz, California): Join the Santa Cruz Derby Girls at a time and location to be announced.
Sunday, Aug. 14 (Roxborough, Pennsylvania): Join the Philly Roller Derby from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Roxborough Memorial Hospital, 5800 Ridge Ave, 1st floor Auditorium.
Friday, Aug. 19 (Livermore, California): Join the Quad City Derby Bombshells from 1-7 p.m. at the Asbury United Methodist Church, 4743 East Ave.
Saturday, Aug. 21 (Middleborough, Massachusetts): Join the Mass Attack Roller Derby at a time to be announced at the Middleboro Elks Club, 24 High St.
TBA (Hudson Valley, New York): Join the New York Firestorm at a date, time and location to be announced.
TBA (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania): Join the Penn Jersey Roller Derby at a date, time and location to be announced.
TBA: (Antioch, California): Join the Undead Roller Derby at a date, time and location to be announced.
TBA: (Redwood City, California): Join the Peninsula Roller Girls at a date, time and location to be announced.
TBA: (San Jose, California): Join the Silicon Valley Roller Girls at a date, time and location to be announced.
TBA: (Fremont, California): Join the Bay Area Black Widows at a date, time and location to be announced.
TBA: (Hollister, California): Join the Faultline Derby Devilz at a date, time and location to be announced.
Follow the roller derby blood drives at #bloodforlife. Any roller derby league wishing to bring the Blood for Life roller derby blood drive series to their hometown should email organizers at [email protected].
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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 Blood for Life roller derby blood drive and more are available. Contact Barb Morgen at [email protected] or at 206-883-9093 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.
Barb Morgen, Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com, +1 206-883-9093, [email protected]
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