Nailers nip Chiefs to retain Red Cross Blood Challenge Cup
March 27, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release
(WHEELING, W. Va.)- The Wheeling Nailers have won the coveted American Red Cross Blood Challenge Cup for the second consecutive year, nipping the Johnstown Chiefs by a 63 to 52 margin of votes from fans who came out to donate blood during the Challenge Cup blood drives held Monday (March 24).
The Nailers' drive, held at WesBanco Arena, resulted in 54 productive blood donations. The Chiefs' drive, held at the Cambria County War Memorial, resulted in 50 productive blood donations.
The ECHL rivals, in collaboration with the Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, began the Blood Cup Challenge in March 2007.
"We're grateful to our fans for supporting both our team and patients who need blood. Accident victims, cancer patients, and all those who need blood transfusions are the real winners," commented Danielle Stocklask, Account Manager, Wheeling Nailers. "We're proud to host the Blood Challenge Cup for another year."
Noting that up to three patients may benefit from a single blood donation, Taunia Oechslin, Senior Director, Recruitment, observed, "Nearly 300 patients may be helped by the Chiefs and Nailers fans who donated blood."
In conceding defeat in the Blood Cup Challenge, Doug Nelson, Director of Business Operations, Johnstown Chiefs, thanked the team's fans for helping to narrow the gap against the Nailers. "With your continued support, the third time - in 2009 - will be the charm!"
All presenting donors received game vouchers, enjoyed a great canteen and were entered into a raffle to win Johnstown Chiefs or Wheeling Nailers merchandise. Nailers hockey players and their team mascot, Spike, were on site at WesBanco Arena to meet and greet blood donors when they presented to donate; Chiefs players and their mascot, Tom E. Hawk, made appearances at the Cambria County War Memorial to thank donors for taking time to help save lives and support the Chiefs. "Given the timing of this year's Blood Cup Challenge - the day after the Easter holiday - we're very pleased with more than 100 productive units of blood. The teams' fans contributed about one-seventh of our 100-county region's collections on Monday (March 24)," Oechslin said.
The Greater Alleghenies Region serves 97 hospitals in a 100-county area, including all hospitals in the Johnstown & Wheeling areas.
*** Patients in these hospitals need approximately 27,000 blood products annually. Individuals at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 lbs. and are in generally good health can donate blood (16-year-olds may donate blood in Pennsylvania with parental consent). For more information about upcoming Red Cross blood drives, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.redcrosslife.org.
***Area hospitals served by the American Red Cross Blood Services, Greater Alleghenies Region include:
Barnesville Hospital Association, Belmont Community Hospital, Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, East Ohio Regional Hospital, Meyersdale Community Hospital, Miners Hospital, Ohio Valley Medical Center, Reynolds Memorial Hospital, Somerset Community Hospital, Wheeling Hospital and Windber Medical Center.
Local residents and patients are among those served through the Greater Alleghenies Region, which serves hospitals, patients and blood donors in a 100-county area in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, and also supports blood needs experienced by patients elsewhere in hospitals served through Red Cross Blood Services.
The next home game for Wheeling is March 28 at 7:35pm against the Johnstown Chiefs.
Call 304-234-GOAL for more information or visit www.wheelingnailers.com.
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