McGraw Headlines National Blood Drive
Posted on: Friday, 1 April 2005, 12:00 CST
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Red Cross officials hope Grammy-winning country singer Tim McGraw's star power will help them increase the nation's blood supply.
McGraw is fronting the "Neighbors Give Life" blood drive scheduled to begin Thursday and run through Sept. 5. The drive is sponsored by the American Red Cross and State Farm Insurance Co.
"I'm just a big fan of the organization," McGraw said of the Red Cross in a telephone interview. "They're always on the front line of any disaster."
Red Cross officials said there is less than half of the seven- to 10-day blood supply needed in the event of a national disaster. Only 5 percent of Americans who are eligible to give blood now donate, organization officials said.
McGraw said he will spread the word that people can give blood up to six times a year, not just once. "It's just a simple thing, and you help more than you realize," he said.
As part of the effort to raise awareness about the need for blood donations, the sponsors are offering sweepstakes prizes including a free trip to a McGraw concert and autographed copies of McGraw's chart-topping "Live Like You Were Dying" CD. Potential winners need not be blood donors.
State Farm donated $1 million to the Red Cross to launch the program and also will encourage blood donations from its 69,000 employees and 17,000 agents, said spokeswoman Mia Jazo-Harris.
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On the Net:
American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org
Tim McGraw: http://www.timmcgraw.com
Source: Associated Press/AP Online
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