Published: February 25, 2008 06:09 pm            

Georgia soldier featured on ABC’s “20/20” to appear at Red Cross luncheon

ATLANTA – On Thursday, Feb. 28, the Minority Recruitment Advisory Board for the American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region, will host its 7th annual Minority Recruitment Luncheon. The Luncheon will take place at 11:30 am at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta hotel. This year’s luncheon will recognize key people and organizations throughout the minority community that have help raise awareness of the need for increase blood collection among minority groups.

U. S. Army Spc. Channing Moss of Gainesville, Ga., will share his touching story of courage and survival. Moss, who was featured on ABC’s “20/20,” sustained serious injuries following a missile attack while serving in Iraq. The guest speaker for the event will be MARTA’s new general manager and chief executive officer, Dr. Beverly A. Scott. Dr. Scott joined MARTA in October and will speak on MARTA’s continued commitment to the community and the on-going need for blood donations across the metro Atlanta area. The host for the event will be radio personality/actress Myra J of the nationally syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show.”

“This year’s luncheon will be one filled with amazing stories of dedication, commitment and survival,” says Randy Edwards, chief executive officer for the American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region. “The dedication of our board of business and community leaders throughout the past year has helped increase awareness in the community and educate people on the importance of continued donation,” he said.

Blood is a community resource to be contributed to and shared by all. As steward for nearly half the nation’s blood supply, the American Red Cross relies on volunteer blood donors to ensure a safe and steady blood supply for the community. African American communities have a higher percentage of donors with Type O or Type B blood, the first blood types to drop to critically low levels during a shortage. Larger numbers of African American donors are greatly needed to help supply these crucial blood types and support the community blood supply. Of the eight percent of eligible Americans who donate blood, less than one percent of blood donors are African American.

The American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern Region, has 14 blood donor centers throughout the state of Georgia, seven of which are located in the metro Atlanta area. The Red Cross must collect 1,200 units of blood each weekday to sufficiently supply the more than 130 hospitals throughout the region. Blood can be donated every 56 days, and platelet donations can be made every two weeks, up to 26 times a year. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (448-3543) or visit www.redcrossblood.org to find the nearest blood drive or donor center.

        

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