The American Red Cross and KLOS are partnering again for the 40th Annual 95.5 KLOS Blood Drive on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21, at 15 locations throughout Southern California. Since it started in 1981, the KLOS Blood Drive has collected 198,725 pints of blood thanks to support from KLOS listeners. With each donation possibly helping more than one patient – you, the KLOS donors — have touched hundreds of thousands of lives!

The blood products collected at this blood drive will help treat kids battling cancer, accident victims being rushed to emergency rooms, individuals experiencing extreme sickle cell disease pain, and patients with complicated childbirths. As a thank-you, all presenting donors will also receive a limited-edition, commemorative 2021 95.5 KLOS Blood Drive T-shirt, and other goodies while supplies last.

We need you, KLOS listeners! The Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise – and deplete the nation’s blood inventory.  There is great hospital demand for blood as patients who previously deferred care during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now scheduled for surgeries. Hospitals are also responding to an atypically high number of traumas and emergency room visits. KLOS listeners can help by donating blood to help ensure hospital patients receive the blood products they need. Blood is perishable and cannot be manufactured or stockpiled—it can only come from generous donors like KLOS listeners rolling up a sleeve to help. An hour of your time this summer can truly help save a life.

Patients need your help – please schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use sponsor code KLOS or visit www.klos.com. Individuals who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are still eligible to donate blood. (more details at RedCrossBlood.org)

• Things are still a little different this year.
  • Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face-covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with local and state guidelines.
    • To support social distancing, only donors with an appointment will be allowed entrance. Please no walk-ins, and if you bring a buddy, make sure they have an appointment.

Safety is a top priority for the Red Cross. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center has always followed the highest standards of safety and infection control. During this pandemic, the Red Cross has additional precautions in place to ensure the safety of our employees, volunteers, and donors, including:  

• Requiring face masks and social distancing for unvaccinated individuals.  
• Providing hand sanitizer for use before entering the drive, as well as throughout the donation process.
• Continuing enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment. 
• Emphasizing the importance of appointments to help manage the flow of donors at drives.