The Central California Blood Center’s (CCBC) 15th annual “Pint for a Pass” event kicks off a six week-long blood drive on Aug. 26, with a special launch event at the Fresno Fairgrounds.
At tomorrow’s launch from 5 a.m. until 2 p.m., blood donors will be presented with a buy-one-get-one admission ticket to this year’s Big Fresno Fair at the Commerce Building, plus free corn dogs and kettle corn at the event.
Every donor at the event will also be entered into an hourly drawing for the chance to win unspecified concert tickets and grandstand entertainment tickets.
The drive runs from Aug. 26 through Oct. 11 at all of the blood donation centers and mobile drives across the Central Valley. Over 7,000 pints of blood were collected during last year’s blood drive.
According to the American Red Cross, each blood donation can save up to three lives, which also helps to meet the monthly goal of 5,000 to 6,000 pints for local hospitals.
Donating blood is simple and usually takes less than an hour. Donors must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be generally healthy and be 18 years or older to donate, although 16-17-year-olds can participate with the consent of a parent.
Type O blood is particularly valuable because it is the only blood type that can be used universally, but other blood types are needed as well. As the CCBC reminds donors, giving blood is one of the most precious gifts, and it can start with just one pint.
For more details and blood center locations, visit donateblood.org.
