Let’s Put Some Pints on the Board

It’s football season and time to put some pints on the board — pints of blood, that is. UAB Hospital and the American Red Cross launch the Kickoff Classic, a weeklong blood drive designed to replace blood stocks depleted during the summer.

August 19, 2009

It's football season and time to put some pints on the board - pints of blood, that is.  UAB Hospital and the American Red Cross launch the Kickoff Classic, a weeklong blood drive designed to replace blood stocks depleted during the summer. Donors can show their fan support by donating in the name of their favorite college football team, be it the UAB Blazers, Auburn Tigers or Alabama Crimson Tide.

The blood drive will take place in the UAB Hospital North Pavilion second floor atrium, corner of 18th Street and Sixth Avenue on the following days and times:

1st quarter -Tuesday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2nd quarter -Wednesday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3rd quarter -Thursday Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

4th quarter - Friday, Sept. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1st overtime - Saturday, Sept. 12, 1-6 p.m.

2nd overtime - Sunday, Sept. 13, 1-6 p.m.

The end of summer is a critical time for the region's blood supply because donations typically drop during the summer months. UAB and the Red Cross are in the third year of a unique partnership that is working to boost the blood supply by increasing donation and decreasing the amount of blood use required at UAB Hospital. This year's ambitious goal is to collect 8,000 units of blood through drives and regular collections at UAB.

Donors will get a free T-shirt or a Buy 1, Get 1 Free coupon for the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Donors also will be entered in a drawing for a $300 Marriott Gift Card and two $100 gas cards. UAB, Auburn and Alabama team merchandise also will be given away.

UAB ranks in the top five among hospitals supplied by the Red Cross, and it is one of the nation's largest users of blood products. Donors can give blood up to six times a year, every eight weeks. The overall process takes about 45 minutes. The actual blood collection usually takes less than 20 minutes. Donors need to have a photo ID.

Blood products are used during surgery, transplantation, trauma care, difficult pregnancies and cancer treatment. A single patient may require as many as 100 units.