NY Islanders to Host Red Cross Blood Drive

First 200 presenting donors invited to attend exclusive player meet & greet at Isles' official draft party

The New York Islanders Hockey Club and the American Red Cross announced today they’re teaming up to support blood collections this summer. This community initiative will officially begin at the Islanders 2011 Draft Party on June 24 with a blood drive at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The Red Cross blood drive will take place in the Lower Box Office of the Coliseum prior to and during the Draft Party. Donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by visiting www.redcrossblood.org.

As a special thank you for helping their neighbors, the first 200 people who donate blood will receive a voucher that can be redeemed for either an exclusive meet & greet with players that night or two tickets to a 2011-12 Islanders weeknight home game.

Those fans will also receive a limited edition Red Cross Islanders t-shirt and a half-ounce bottle of Pacific Shaving Company’s All Natural Shaving Oil.

“The American Red Cross and New York Islanders are partnering together and asking people to donate blood during the summer months when collections typically decline to ensure we have lifesaving blood for patients,” said Donna M. Morrissey, Director of Communications, American Red Cross Northeast Division. “We’re grateful to the Islanders and their fans for supporting the Red Cross humanitarian mission to provide blood supplies, disaster services, aid to our military, life saving and emergency response.”   

“Our hockey club has always been community-first and this partnership allows us to continue to expand our charitable efforts,” Islanders Senior Vice President Michael Picker said. “The Red Cross is a tremendous organization that helps so many millions of people across the nation and around the world. With this great new partnership, we’re going to bring more aid to the Long Island community than ever before.”

The American Red Cross has been a primary supplier of lifesaving blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. The American Red Cross Blood Services - Northeast Division must distribute approximately 3,000 units of blood each day just to meet the basic needs of area patients.

To donate blood and platelets through the American Red Cross, individuals must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health.  The states of Maine, Massachusetts and New York allow those who are 16 years of age to donate blood with parental consent.

For additional information regarding donor eligibility, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org.