Memorial Blood Centers Taps into Support from Great Waters Brewing Company for Winter Carnival Blood Drive

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Local Memorial Blood Centers (MBC)—designated nonprofit partner of the 126th Annual Winter Carnival—is returning again to Rice Park for two days with an opportunity for all eligible blood donors to help save lives in the community.  Among the ice sculptures, the music, and the dozens of other activities in the area, MBC will be hosting its 3rd annual Winter Carnival Blood Drive, and teaming up with St. Paul-based Great Waters Brewing Company to offer a very special deal.

All presenting donors who step up to give a pint of blood to MBC during the Winter Carnival Blood Drive will get a coupon for a free pint of draft beer—or root beer—redeemable at Great Waters Brewing Company, in the heart of downtown St. Paul. Give a pint to help someone in need. And get a pint to enjoy.

What:  Memorial Blood Centers 3rd Annual Winter Carnival Blood Drive

When:  Saturday, January 28 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 4 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:  Rice Park, 109 4th St. W., St. Paul

Why:  Every two seconds someone needs blood
Blood cannot be synthetically made; there is no substitute
38% of the community is eligible to give blood yet only 7% actually do

"With our headquarters located right here in St. Paul, Memorial Blood Centers is proud to be part of the community and excited to be hosting this annual blood drive for the third consecutive year," Brian Googins, MBC's Donor Recruitment Representative said. "And we are especially honored to have been chosen as this year's designated nonprofit partner by the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and The Klondike Kates. In particular, we are very grateful for the generosity of Kates who are raising funds to benefit Memorial Blood Centers through a series of Gold Rush gold-exchange events, now through June 2012."

According to Shar Salisbury, Klondike Kate 1997, "Our fundraising partner, GOLD SWAP, provided the licensed appraisers and helped us launch The Gold Rush at the recent Klondike Kate Contest that crowned our new Kate 2012. And we have decided to extend the event to raise even more funds for Memorial Blood Centers. Anyone interested in supporting such a worthy cause is encouraged to book a Gold Exchange "party" between now and June through the Klondike Kates. A percentage of the proceeds from those bookings will also go to benefit the life-saving mission of Memorial Blood Centers. We're excited to be doing our part to help!"

About Memorial Blood Centers 3rd Annual Winter Carnival Blood Drive
All eligible donors who meet MBC general health requirements are welcome to make a date to donate. Specific height and weight restrictions apply for 16 – 18 year-old donors and those 16 years of age must have written parental consent. Additional eligibility guidelines are available at www.MBC.org or by calling 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253).  Advance registration is strongly encouraged, although walk-ins are welcome.  To schedule a donation appointment, go to www.MBC.org and enter sponsor code #3694 for the Winter Carnival Blood Drive. Or contact Brian Googins at Memorial Blood Centers by phone, 651-332-7162, or email at [email protected].

About Memorial Blood Centers
Memorial Blood Centers has been saving lives for over 60 years as an independent nonprofit supplying life-saving blood to area hospitals and other partners throughout the U.S. Operating 11 donor centers and conducting hundreds of blood drives each month, Memorial Blood Centers also provides comprehensive testing and expert technical services as a national leader in transfusion medicine. For more information, call 888-GIVE-BLD or visit MBC.org.

Great Waters Brewing Company is located in the Historic Hamm Building on St. Peter Street at the 7th Place Mall—just two blocks from Rice Park and the Landmark Center. www.greatwatersbc.com

For more information about The Klondike Kates Gold Rush or to schedule a gold-exchange fundraising event to benefit Memorial Blood Centers, contact:
Shar Salisbury, Klondike Kate 1997
Royal Order of Klondike Kates
[email protected].  

Visit www.winter-carnival.com to learn more about the 126th Annual Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

Klondike Kate Contest photo available at http://www.mbc.org/News-Events/News-Events

SOURCE Memorial Blood Centers