American Red Cross, NECN and Comcast team up for blood drive campaign

For the sixth year in a row, the American Red Cross, NECN and Comcast have joined together to help patients in need by increasing the blood supply and raising awareness about the ongoing need for blood donors.  

The "Celebrate the Gift of Life" blood drive campaign runs throughout the winter months when blood supplies are often critically low due to severe weather and flu season.  Patients in area hospitals need blood every day, and just one pint of blood from a donor can help save up to three lives.  With the "Celebrate the Gift of Life" campaign, the Red Cross is better able to keep blood on hospital shelves so it is available when it is most needed.

On Wednesday, January 27, the Red Cross is hosting blood drives across New England to help collect blood for patients in need.  On that day, NECN's Matt Noyes and Latoyia Edwards will be broadcasting live from the Red Cross' Dedham Donor Center throughout the day.

NECN sister network Comcast SportsNet will be hosting on-site FanCaster auditions from 7 to 9 am and 3 to 5 pm at the Dedham Donor Center and will select one young sports fan, age 13-18, to appear in an upcoming Celtics telecast. SportsNet Central anchors Carolyn Manno and Kevin Walsh will be on-site to provide coaching to the kids as they audition.

Additionally, Comcast will be holding blood drives for its employees at office locations throughout New England this week and has been airing Public Service Announcements about the ongoing need for blood all month.  To encourage customers to help support the community blood supply, Comcast is offering an On Demand movie coupon to anyone who donates blood at one of the following public blood drive sites on Wednesday, January 27: