From a media release:
The Southern Belle Riverboat is sponsoring a Halloween cruise on Friday, October 31st benefiting the Blood Assurance Foundation. The Southern Belle will depart from Renaissance Park on the North Shore in Chattanooga at 9:30 p.m. ET. Tickets are $20 each passenger, and include Halloween treats, a cash bar, costume contest and a DJ (must be 21 years of age or older to attend). Tickets are available at http://chattanoogariverboat.com or call 423-266-4488.
Donors at Blood Assurance locations and bloodmobiles on October 30th and 31st can get a special jack o’ lantern t shirt. Currently all types of blood are needed, especially O Negative. O Negative is the universal type of blood, meaning everyone can receive it, and is the type used in emergency or trauma situations.
Blood Assurance is a non-profit blood center that serves 47 counties in a 5 state region, and is the provider of blood and blood components for 70 healthcare facilities. Over 440 blood donors are needed every day in order to adequately supply the region served by Blood Assurance with lifesaving blood.
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a complimentary snack and t-shirt. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.
For more information about Blood Assurance, please call 1-800-962-0628 or go to www.BloodAssurance.org.