Local Roller Derby League Inspires National Blood Drive Series to Save Lives

SANTA ROSA, Calif., Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Bay Area roller derby leagues are partnering with roller derby teams from coast to coast, Brown Paper Tickets and the American Red Cross to save lives with the annual "Make 'em Bleed" roller derby blood drive series, beginning Saturday, Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The American Red Cross, 5297 Aero Drive.

The most widely attended blood drive series in California, In its first 5 years, "Make 'em Bleed" roller derby blood drives attracted record crowds and collected more than 1,100 units of blood; enough donations to save 3,300 lives. Local roller derby athletes in full uniform, and sometimes on skates, offer autographs and photo opportunities at the blood drives to inspire the highest levels of attendance and donations.

"'Make 'em Bleed' roller derby drives are more popular than other blood drives, resulting in more donations and lives saved," said Justin Mueller, American Red Cross representative. "Most of the roller derby drives have skaters in uniform on hand, and there is just a fun vibe about it. The girls are so welcoming, fun and energetic."

"We hope to double the number of lives saved this year as the success of the California blood drives has inspired roller derby leagues from coast to coast to host a blood drive," said Jerry Seltzer, Sonoma-based son of the inventor of roller derby, former commissioner for the sport, former board member for the American Red Cross of California and current outreach representative with Brown Paper Tickets. "Just like almost every roller derby league in the world, Brown Paper Tickets has a community service mission."

"Blood drives are critical to maintaining a healthy community blood supply," Mueller said. "A single donation can help save multiple lives. You really can make a difference in the life of a local patient in need by giving blood."

In 2018, the Make 'em Bleed national roller derby blood drive series is part of World Roller Derby Week, a series of events Aug. 13-19 celebrating the 83rd anniversary of the invention of the sport by Leo Seltzer in 1935. Roller derby is one of only three major sports invented in the United States, inspiring generations of athletes and fans. Currently, almost 2,000 women's, men's and junior leagues are skating, competing and giving back to their communities worldwide.

Dates and locations being added and updated weekly. For the latest news, check http://community.brownpapertickets.com/wp/redcross-blood-drives-roller-derby/. To schedule a convenient appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: DERBY.

Follow the roller derby blood drives at #makeembleed. Any roller derby league wishing to bring the Make 'Em Bleed roller derby blood drive series to their hometown should email organizers at derbyblooddrive(at)gmail(dot)com.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: In-studio or telephone interviews with members of the Santa Cruz Derby Girls, The American Red Cross or with Sonoma-based Jerry Seltzer, son of the man who invented roller derby in 1935 and former commissioner of the sport, high-resolution photos, video of a Make 'Em Bleed roller derby blood drive and more are available. Contact Barb Morgen at derbyblooddrive(at)gmail(dot)com or at 206.785.9104 for assistance in getting what you need to build your story.

About the American Red Cross:
American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org.

About Brown Paper Tickets:
Brown Paper Tickets (brownpapertickets.com) provides easy, reliable online event registration and ticketing with the lowest fee, the highest level of service, and the largest commitment to roller derby and to social responsibility in the ticketing industry. The ticketing company donates 5 percent of the profits from every ticket sold, pays employees to work 40 hours each year for the cause of their choice, and employs a team of experts in roller derby to give free assistance, and to help the sport grow and thrive.

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SOURCE Brown Paper Tickets LLC