We Need Blood! Donate and Be 'Taken Out to a Ballgame''

Baseball fans may already be aware: the booster clubs of both the Dodgers and Angels are getting their players into position to help the American Red Cross cope with its first, serious blood-shortage in more than five years.

Well, we want the rest of our Southern California community to know too: our blood supply has dropped to critically low levels!

Both booster clubs are now urging all baseball fans to help save lives by casting votes for their favorite team at the "14th Annual, Angels vs. Dodgers Booster Clubs' Blood Drive." This is an opportunity for the entire community to don their "rally caps", bring their "rally monkies" and join together to help stabilize our blood supply... a great team-win!

Fans, firefighters, friends and families may donate at any of these locations on Saturday, June 30, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Donors will receive a very special, commemorative t-shirt and a voucher for 2 tickets to an Angels or Dodgers home game. Quantities are limited.

To reserve your time on June 30 or to schedule an appointment on another day, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Be sure to enter "homerun" in the sponsor code space provided. You will also find answers to many frequently asked questions.

Unless generous blood donors step forward soon, blood products will not be available for patients in an emergency or medical crisis. Blood shortages this severe, are rare. The critically-low blood levels we face in hospitals across the country, present a challenge to each of us. Some hospitals have been forced to make terrible choices. In fact, some have begun to postpone surgeries. There are other hospitals where doctors have had to triage patients, to determine those with the greatest blood needs.

Your choice to help replenish the blood supply, may help make their choices easier.

Please join us.


Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

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Blood Drives and Pancake Breakfasts to Benefit Fire Families

Join the Los Angeles Fire Department in our efforts to help a member of our fire family. Please consider donating your blood or platelets to help the young son of Firefighter Mike Fortini. "Little Mikey" was unfortunately diagnosed with A.L. Leukemia and is expected to undergo at least two months of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He needs our help!

Two Blood Drives will be held during the month of June, with a Firefighters' Pancake Breakfast and other snacks served to all donors.

June 15, 2011 in Downtown Los Angeles at Fire Station 4, from 7:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Fire Station 4 is located at 450 East Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA  90012. For additional information, contact Nelson Joo at (949) 636-6077 or Fire Station 4 (213) 485-6204.

June 23, 2011 in the San Fernando Valley area at Fire Station 87, from 7:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Fire Station 87 is located at 10124 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills, CA  91344.  For additional information, contact Fire Station 87 at (818) 360-1440 or (818) 756-8687.

For those unable to make either of these events, there will be an on-going blood and platelet donation for Michael Fortini Jr. at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd., L.A., CA  90027. The hospital's donation hours are Monday-Friday from 7:00 am - 4:00 pm and on weekends from 7:00 am - 1:00 pm. Please call the hospital in advance to make an appointment at (323) 361-2441.

As a reminder, all blood types are needed and all blood donations will benefit Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and LAFD family members.

Please mark your calendars and make plans to join us. On behalf of "Little Mikey" and the rest of the LAFD Families in need, we thank you!

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

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