Annual City-Wide Mall Challenge Blood Drive Kicks Off -06/25/25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Annual City-Wide Mall Challenge Blood Drive Kicks Off   

Clackamas Town Center, Lloyd Center, Washington Square and Pioneer Place Compete to Save Lives  

Portland, OR (June 25, 2025) — Four Portland Metropolitan malls are gearing up for a little friendly competition during the American Red Cross Cascades City-Wide Mall Challenge blood drive. This challenge helps the American Red Cross collect blood leading up to the 4^th of July weekend.

Unfortunately, the American Red Cross often sees blood supplies dwindle during summer months as people head out of town. “When schools let out and families set off on vacation, we typically see a decline in donors, often leading to a seasonal blood shortage,” says Red Cross Regional Donor Services Executive Angel Montes.  

We are proud to be able to continue this annual event that started back in 2012. Join us in witnessing this competition unfold!

Wednesday July 2^nd and Thursday, July 3^rd at the following locations:  

Clackamas Town Center (Community Room)

July 2^nd from 9am-7pm

July 3^rd from 11am-5pm                 

Lloyd Center (Vacant Victoria Secret Space)

July 2^nd from 11am-5pm

July 3^rd from 11am-5pm                         

Pioneer Place (Vacant Storefront Space 1053)

July 2^nd from 11am – 4pm

July 3^rd from 11am – 4pm                     

Washington Square (Washington Square Too – Next to World Market)

July 2^nd from 9am-7pm

July 3^rd from 11am-5pm

Visit RedCrossBlood.org then enter the sponsor code "MallChallenge” and make your appointment today. The mall to collect the most blood donations will receive a trophy and bragging rights.   

How to donate blood  

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.  

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their predonation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.  

About the American Red Cross:  

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.  

SAVE THE DATE: 20th Annual Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive Highlights Need For Diverse Blood Supply, World Sickle Cell Awareness Day -06/17/25

The event includes interviews with families dealing with Sickle Cell Disease, Red Cross Sickle Cell Advocate and Medical Advisor Dr.Yvette Miller.

PORTLAND, Ore. (June 21, 2025) — The American Red Cross announces the 20th annual Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive, highlighting the need for a diverse blood supply, Saturday, June 21, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Red Cross Portland Blood Donation Center, 3131 N. Vancouver Ave. The blood drive also honors World Sickle Cell Day, an international effort to increase public knowledge and an understanding of sickle cell disease.

Blood & Diversity

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong inherited blood disorder that can cause anemia, tissue and organ damage, strokes, and terrible pain. Sickle cell patients often receive blood transfusions on an ongoing basis to help prevent and treat symptoms. A sickle cell patient in need is more likely to find a compatible blood match from a donor of the same race or ethnic group.

Diversity among blood donors is critical because red blood cells carry markers that determine blood type, and certain blood types are unique to specific racial and ethnic groups. In addition, sickle cell disease affects as many as 100,000 people in the U.S. More than 90% of those individuals are of African descent. 

About Dr. Charles Drew

Dr. Drew, known as the “father of the blood bank,” was an African American surgeon, educator and scientist who helped shape the blood services industry. In the 1940s, he laid the groundwork for today’s modern blood donation program through his innovative work in blood banking. The Red Cross blood program started in 1940, under the leadership of Drew, who became the first medical director for the Red Cross.

Read more about Dr. Drew HERE.

The Dr. Charles Drew Blood Drive occurs at a time when the Red Cross urges donors – especially those who have never given blood before –to make an appointment to give. The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients.

All donors will receive a special Dr. Charles R. Drew T– Shirt Join Sistahs4Life Soul Line Dance in the Atrium at 11:00 am.

Special guests include:

Dr. Marcia Taylor

Executive Director of Oregon’s Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation.

Pastor Taylor founded the Sickle Cell Foundation of Oregon in 1985, in honor of her late daughter, Ramona, who passed away due to sickle cell complications. Because of her work, Oregon began testing for sickle cell trait and disease. The Sickle Cell Foundation of Oregon program educates the community via workshops and dissemination of sickle cell educational materials, radio, television, newsletters, and social media.

Willie Leffall:

The Chapter President for Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC) who also shared his story with his two daughters about living with Sickle Cell seven years ago. The girls are now 12 and 16.

Dr. Yvette Miller:

A powerhouse in transfusion medicine, Dr. Yvette Miller is helping to shape clinical practices, broaden awareness and understanding into the plights of those living with sickle cell disease and how blood donors who are Black can help. With a long-distinguished career at the American Red Cross, she serves as the executive medical officer of the donor and client support center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charletta Malone:

Charletta Malone has been a dedicated Red Cross employee since 1991. She takes pride in educating her community about the importance of donating blood. She is particularly passionate about informing African Americans of the need for blood. She is also an advocate for sickle-cell anemia patients.

Partners:

Thank you to our partners who have made this blood drive successful over the past 20 years.  These groups include Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta, Zeta Phi Beta, Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha pKappa Alpha and Portland Links.

Sign up to donate at RedCrossBlood.org. (Sponsor code: “CharlesDrewPDX.”)

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood and provides blood to 65 regional hospitals; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on social media at @RedCrossCascades

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Final Results From The First Annual Oregon Senate And House Blood Drive Battle: It's A TIE! -06/16/25

Final tally of the blood drive competition:

House 9 units of blood. 

Senate 9 units of blood.

A tie! 

See you next year.  

B-Roll Soundbites and pics

Saving lives through blood donation is one thing all lawmakers can agree upon, especially as we head into the summer months. Join us for this friendly blood drive competition where everyone wins!

• When: Monday June 16, 2025, 8:30am to Noon.
• Where: Red Cross Bloodmobile on Salem Street near the South entrance to the State Capitol.
• Who: Drive sponsor Senator James Manning (D-Eugene), Secretary of State Tobias Read (available at 8:30am, donating at 9am), Red Cross Cascades CEO Priscilla Fuentes, and Red Cross Board Chair Darrell Fuller.
• Why: The need for blood increases in the summer because of a rise in trauma injuries.  Blood drives like these help us support our local hospitals with lifesaving blood.

“We are thrilled to see our lawmakers in Salem stepping up to save lives. Even during this busy time at the capital, they recognize that blood donations drop in the summertime because of a reduction in school blood drives, an increase in summer vacations, and travel,” says Red Cross Cascades CEO Priscilla Fuentes.  

Blood stats:

• Every 2 seconds someone in this country needs blood.
• Every 15 seconds someone needs platelets.
• Blood has a shelf life of 42 days.
• Platelets have a shelf life of only 5 days.
• Type-O blood (the universal blood type) is most needed, but ALL blood types are welcome and needed.
• Your single blood donation can help more than one person, and it takes only an hour to complete the process.
• One-in-seven trips to the hospital require a blood transfusion.
• One trauma patient can require up to 100 units of blood.

Sign up to donate by going to: RedCrossBlood.org (Sponsor Code: StateCapitol) or by calling 1-800-RedCross.

Those who come to give June 1-30, 2025, will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Terms apply.

Download the Blood Donor App today to book your next appointment, track your lifetime donations, and follow your donation on its way to the hospital.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood and provides blood to 65 regional hospitals; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on social media at @RedCrossCascades.

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