Red Cross partners with 9/11 Day to provide the gift of life to patients in need this Sept. 11

In Tribute to Those We Lost 9/11 Day was launched in 2002 as an annual day of service to honor the victims and heroes of Sept. 11. Since then, it has evolved into the largest annual day of charitable engagement in the U.S. and was designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance by the U.S. Congress and President Obama in 2009.

Jay S. Winuk, co-founder of 9/11 Day, lost his brother Glenn J. Winuk in the Sept. 11 attacks. Glenn, an attorney with Holland & Knight in downtown Manhattan, served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for almost 20 years. After helping evacuate the Holland & Knight law offices where he was a partner, Glenn raced to the nearby World Trade Center's south tower to participate in the rescue efforts. He died when that tower collapsed – a first-response medical kit was found by his side.

"The growth of this observance from a grassroots initiative into the nation's largest day of charitable engagement speaks directly to the true compassionate nature of millions of Americans and our shared desire to focus on our common humanity," said Jay S. Winuk. "With its engagement in 9/11 Day, the Red Cross will make a significant impact, and we're confident that blood donors, volunteers and organizations from coast-to-coast will answer this call for help while honoring the heroes of 9/11."  

In Honor We Can Help Save a Life Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. That someone could be an accident and burn victim, heart surgery patient, organ transplant patient, or someone receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

As the nation's single largest supplier of blood products, the Red Cross needs to collect 14,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of hospital patients in about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Giving blood or platelets in honor of 9/11 Day will help the Red Cross fulfill that mission.

"The Red Cross is proud to join 9/11 Day and empower members of our communities to give blood and volunteer to commemorate this anniversary while making a profound contribution to community preparedness," said Donna M. Morrissey, director of national partnerships, Red Cross Biomedical Services. "Let us honor the memory of those who gave so much to help others, and do our part to help those in need this September."

Those who would like to observe the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance by donating blood or platelets are encouraged to visit redcrossblood.org to find a donation opportunity. Those who are unable to donate but would still like to give back can also volunteer their time with the Red Cross. More information can be found at redcrossblood.org/volunteer. Individuals can also create a SleevesUp virtual blood drive at redcrossblood.org/sleevesup.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The 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 or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About 9/11 Day
9/11 Day is the largest annual day of charitable engagement in the United States. Each year tens of millions of Americans and many others in 150 countries observe September 11 by performing good deeds that help others. The goal of 9/11 Day is to keep alive the spirit of unity and compassion that arose in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, providing a positive, helpful way for people to annually remember and pay tribute to the 9/11 victims, and honor those that rose up in service in response to the attacks. We encourage everyone to observe 9/11 this year by joining together to help those most in need, and working more closely to make our world better and more peaceful.

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SOURCE American Red Cross

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