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SPHL Mississippi RiverKings

RiverKings Players First to Donate in Joint Blood Drive

February 17, 2003 - SPHL (SPHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.— RiverKings team captain Don Parsons, teammate Brad Mueller and equipment manager Dave Mattice were the first to donate in a joint blood drive kicking off this week with the RiverKings and Lifeblood blood donor services.

Between Feb. 20 and 22, the first 1,000 people who attempt to donate blood at any Lifeblood donation center in Shelby and DeSoto Counties will receive one ticket voucher redeemable for the Feb. 22 RiverKings home game.

In addition, the ‘Kings and Lifeblood will have a special donation day at the RiverKings home arena, the DeSoto Civic Center, on Saturday, Feb. 22. Anyone donating at the Civic Center will receive a blood drop doll from Lifeblood and will be entered in a drawing for an autographed Brian Tucker championship replica jersey.

"I'm giving blood today because there's people out there like Anthony DiPalma that need blood sometimes," Mueller said, referring to roommate and RiverKings defenseman Anthony DiPalma, who has Crohn's Disease. "I'm just doing my part to help."

Parsons said he decided to give blood because he wanted to help someone else, but found out that by giving blood men can help themselves.

"I learned that donating blood is actually healthy," Parsons said, referencing the fact that blood donation lowers iron levels carried in the red blood cells. According to R.N. Pam Leath, this helps prevent heart attacks in males, since men don't release extra iron in the blood stream as women do periodically through the menstrual cycle. "I'm getting rid of old blood and growing clean new blood," Parsons said.

Lifeblood supplies blood and blood components for more than 30 area hospitals and health care providers, which in the Memphis area means a great deal of patients. The Regional Medical Center in Memphis, commonly known as The Med, has the second-busiest trauma center in the country. The Memphis area network of hospitals and clinics is the eighth-largest medical center in the United States.

"We have a patient base that comes to Memphis for good health care, and they need an adequate blood supply," Vice President of Donor Services Barbara Albiniak said. "We are importing blood from other parts of the nation to supply blood to patients in the Mid-South. We want to overcome this shortage and become self-sufficient."

As the RiverKings' featured non-profit organization on Saturday, Feb. 22, "Donor Appreciation Night," Lifeblood will have an information booth in the DeSoto Civic Center concourse and two additional tables set up as pledge stations. The Lifeblood Blood Drop mascot will also be present during intermission activities and interacting with fans during the course of the game.

"We are excited about working with the RiverKings because we believe it will heighten awareness of the increasingly great need for blood donation in this area," Albiniak said. "By collecting 40,000 additional blood units each year we will be better prepared to meet the needs of our community."

Lifeblood has 10 local donor sites and four mobile units available every day. The blood collected supplies transfusions for accident victims, premature babies, cancer patients, heart surgery and transplant patients and people with blood disorders like Sickle Cell Anemia, to name a few of its uses. In most cases, a pint of donated blood is separated into components that can help three different patients.

"Each year in our area, literally thousands of lives are saved by blood transfusions," Albiniak said. "Many people owe their lives to our volunteer blood donors, people who care for others in our community by giving a little bit of themselves."

The joint blood drive will culminate Feb. 22 before the RiverKings play the Indianapolis Ice at the DeSoto Civic Center, located just 15 minutes south of downtown Memphis. Donation time is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Face-off is set for 7:05 p.m. For tickets or more information call (662)-342-1755 or go online to www.RiverKings.com and use the ticketmaster link.

· Who: Memphis RiverKings and Lifeblood

· What: The RiverKings and Lifeblood are teaming up to sponsor a blood drive, a special donation day and "Donor Appreciation Night" during the RiverKings' Feb. 22 game. The first 1,000 people to attempt to donate blood will receive a voucher redeemable at that night's game. Those donating at the Civic Center will receive a trinket blood drop doll from Lifeblood and will be entered in a drawing for an autographed Brian Tucker championship replica jersey.

· When: blood drive, Feb. 20-22; special donation day, Feb. 22; "Donor Appreciation Night," during the RiverKings' Feb. 22 game

· Where: local Lifeblood donor sites; the DeSoto Civic Center on Saturday, Feb.22

· How to get more information or tickets: Call the RiverKings office at 662-342-1755 or go online to www.RiverKings.com and use the ticketmaster link.



SPHL Stories from February 17, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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