Red Cross & Hello Kitty and Friends join forces to help save lives

Donations essential to keeping blood supply stable through September

√ Grab an exclusive American Red Cross x Hello Kitty and Friends collectible for coming to give Sept. 1-20

American Red Cross press release

The American Red Cross urges people to celebrate the power of kindness by making an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets. Every donation is critical to helping prevent the next blood shortage.

The Red Cross and Hello Kitty and Friends are partnering in September to remind donors that comfort and care are always better when shared. Just one blood or platelet donation can help more than one patient enjoy a happier future. As a thank you, those who come to give Sept. 1-20 will get an exclusive Red Cross × Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty.

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of people who rolled up a sleeve this summer, the blood supply continues to recover from critically low levels. As we enter September, the blood supply remains vulnerable – especially as we approach new seasonal challenges such as back-to-school activities that can cause donors to be less available to give, and the ongoing potential for tropical systems in the Atlantic, which can further threaten the blood supply by disrupting blood drives.

By making and keeping appointments now, donors can help the Red Cross ensure lifesaving blood products are on hand wherever they are needed, including communities where donations may not be possible due to severe summer weather and natural disasters.

One small act of kindness can travel far. Spark joy and book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross blood donor app, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Erie County

•Buffalo

• Sept. 1: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., University at Buffalo South Harriman Hall, 3435 Main St.
• Sept. 2: noon to 5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.
• Sept. 8: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Buffalo State University Campbell Student Union, 1300 Elmwood Ave.
• Sept. 10: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Veterans Affairs Hospital, 3495 Bailey Ave.
• Sept. 16: noon to 5:30 p.m., Kenilworth Fire Department Co. No. 1, 84 Hawthorne Ave.

•East Aurora

• Sept. 17: noon to 5 p.m., Hampton Inn East Aurora, 49 Olean St.

•Grand Island

• Sept. 8: 1-6 p.m., Grand Island Fire Co., 2275 Baseline Road

•Hamburg

• Sept. 19: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., All Saints Lutheran Church, 6065 S. Park Ave

•Lancaster

• Sept. 12: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. Mary's Elementary School, 2 St. Mary's Hill

•Orchard Park

• Sept. 9: 2-7 p.m., Orchard Park Community Activity Center, 4520 California Road

•Springville

• Sept. 16: 1-6 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive

•Tonawanda

• Sept. 5: 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Blvd.
• Sept. 17: 1-6 p.m., Tonawanda Fire Department firehall, 44 William St.

Niagara County

•Lewiston

• Sept. 11: 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co. No. 1, 145 N. Sixth St.

•Lockport

• Sept. 8: 1-6 p.m., The Dale Association Inc., 33 Ontario St.

•Middleport

• Sept. 14: noon to 5 p.m., Middleport Firehall, 28 Main St

•Niagara University

• Sept. 9: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Niagara University Gallagher Center, 5795 Lewiston Road
• Sept. 10: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Niagara University Gallagher Center, 5795 Lewiston Road

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 and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation 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.

American Red Cross x Hello Kitty images provided by the American Red Cross.

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More 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, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow on social media.

More about Sanrio: Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand and home to Hello Kitty, created in 1974, and many other beloved character brands such as My Melody, Kuromi, LittleTwinStars, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, gudetama, Aggretsuko, Chococat, Badtz-Maru and Keroppi. Sanrio was founded on the philosophy that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration to offer quality products, services and activities that promote communication and inspire unique consumer experiences across the world. Today, Sanrio's business extends into the entertainment industry with several content series, gaming offerings and theme parks. Sanrio boasts an extensive product lineup that is available in over 130 countries. Sanrio hopes to bring smiles to everyone's faces with its vision of "One World, Connecting Smiles." To learn more about Sanrio, visit www.sanrio.com or follow @sanrio and @hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube.