FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Celebrate Pride Month by donating lifesaving blood with the Red Cross 

Join us for our first annual June Pride Drive in Portland on June 28! 

(PORTLAND, OR) June 26, 2024—The American Red Cross Cascades Region is proud to host our first annual June Pride Drive at the Portland Red Cross Chapter office. Our theme is “Everyone Is Welcome.”  Sign up to make an appointment HERE and join us at the event at 3131 N Vancouver Avenue on June 28^th from 8am to 7pm.  

Background: 

On Monday, August 7, the American Red Cross became one of the first blood banks in the country to implement the FDA’s new blood donor eligibility guidance which eliminates blood donation policies based on sexual orientation. This allows the Red Cross to begin welcoming more gay and bisexual men as blood donors. The Red Cross celebrates this historic move as significant progress that will result in a blood donation process that is more inclusive than ever before and keeps the blood supply safe.

• Story opportunity:

Jeff Lonergan is a Red Cross employee and a new blood donor thanks to the FDA changes.  He’ll be at the event and will share what this change means to him personally. 

You can find more details about this change on our website here: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2023/new-inclusive-screening-process-expands-blood-donor-eligibility.html

Key points of interest:

• Now welcoming new donors: The American Red Cross is now welcoming more donors to its lifesaving blood mission through the use of the FDA’s new blood donation eligibility criteria.
• Historic change: All donors will now answer the same eligibility questions regardless of gender or sexual orientation and will be assessed for blood donation based on individual risk factors, not on sexual orientation. 
• Backed by science: Years of data have demonstrated that this new eligibility screening process ensures a safe blood supply patients can feel confident in. 

Blood statistics:

Every 2 seconds someone in this country needs blood. Every 15 seconds someone needs platelets. Please help us keep blood on hospital shelves and make a blood or platelet donation a priority. Book a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.  

Those who come to give on June 28, 2024, will get a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, a Pride lapel pin, refreshments, and one lucky winner will win a $50 Gift Card to The Sports Bra!  See RedCrossBlood.org/DoGood for details. 

Blood donation B-Roll Red Cross NHQ. 

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 social media at @RedCrossCascades.