American Red Cross

PEORIA, Ill. (October 15, 2007) – The Peoria Rivermen are hosting a “Bleeding Blue for Wendy Pleau” blood drive on Friday, October 19th from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Peoria Civic Center in the lower level Arena Club Room. This special drive will be held in honor of Wendy Pleau, wife of St. Louis Blues General Manager Larry Pleau. Wendy has been battling cancer, specifically non-Hodgkins lymphoma, for the past year and has received blood and blood products during her treatment.

On average, 38,000 pints of blood are needed daily to treat patients in need. In fact, people with cancer can require as many as 20 units or more of blood during the course of their treatment. Patients with cancer and other recipients of blood products are in constant need of an adequate supply. Giving blood now can help build the supply, ensuring enough is on hand for patients in the weeks to come.

During the “Bleeding Blue for Wendy Pleau” blood drive, all presenting blood donors will receive a coupon for $5 off admission to a Peoria Rivermen game and will be entered into a drawing for a signed St. Louis Blues jersey. To make an appointment to donate blood at this drive, please call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE or visit givebloodgivelife.org.

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE (1.800.448.3543) or visit givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment or 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. Donors must be at least 17 years old, 16 years old with a signed consent form in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska and must weigh at least 110 pounds.

About the Red Cross
The Mid-America Division of the American Red Cross Blood Services supplies blood products to nearly 250 hospitals in 10 states and across the nation. The Red Cross relies on the generosity of more than 370,000 volunteer blood donors, nearly 8,300 blood drive coordinators and more than 2,100 employees to collect the blood that helps save thousands of lives each year. The Mid-America Division is one of nine Red Cross Blood Services Divisions located throughout the United States. Together, these divisions collect nearly half the nation’s blood supply.