Blood Collection Organizations and Advocacy Groups Partner With America Online Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Web Site Initiative Launches On World Blood Donor Day
Washington, D.C., July 14, 2005 In celebration of World Blood Donor Day,
the nation's leading blood collection organizations and advocacy groups have
joined with America Online ( AOL) to raise awareness about the critical need
for blood donations. AABB, America's Blood Centers, the American Red Cross and
the Give Life Foundation are partnering with AOL to launch an online public
awareness initiative aimed at encouraging young people in America to donate
blood.
"Every two seconds someone in America needs blood, and to meet this ongoing
need, it is essential to foster a new generation of lifelong donors," said Karen
Shoos Lipton, AABB's chief executive officer. "The generous, corporate philanthropic
support of AOL will help to raise blood donation awareness, thereby helping
to ensure that our nation has a safe and adequate blood supply for years to
come."
This unique Web-based initiative has the potential to reach millions of online
consumers, providing them with information about blood, donation opportunities
and information on how individuals can help to make a difference in their community.
This information will be promoted for three weeks on AOL CityGuide, the leading
local entertainment guide online, including local sites covering more than 300
U.S. cities.
"America Online is proud to join with the nation's leading blood collection
organizations and advocacy groups to raise awareness around the need for blood
donors," said Rich D'Amato, America Online's vice president for community investment.
"This is an issue that, at some time or another, touches the life of nearly
every person in America. We hope that by contributing AOL's ability to reach
millions of people especially young people we will help make blood donation
a lifelong part of each American's personal commitment to give back to and serve
their community."
AOL Partnership
This new awareness initiative coincides with the June 14 celebration of World
Blood Donor Day, which recognizes voluntary, unpaid blood donors worldwide for
their lifesaving contributions. The date of June 14 also marks the birthday
of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel Prize winner who created the ABO blood group
system.
"The Give Life Foundation was proud to play an important role in identifying
the partnership opportunities between AOL and the blood community," said Bart
S. Fisher, Give Life Foundation's chairman. "AOL's extensive Web-based presence
will make it easier for its young demographic following to make a significant
difference in their cities by donating blood."
To learn more about blood donation, visit AOL Keyword: Blood Saves or aolcityguide.com
.