January 31, 2011

MONDAY: GOV. MALLOY GIVES BLOOD; RED CROSS REPORTING DANGEROUSLY LOW BLOOD LEVELS DUE TO WINTER STORMS

(Hartford, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy, answering a nationwide call from the American Red Cross, will be donating blood today to help the Connecticut Blood Services Region replenish a blood and platelet supply that is dangerously low due to winter storms.

January saw more than 1,800 Connecticut blood and platelet drives canceled due to weather; these were among the 18,000 that were canceled across the U.S. due to storms.

"I'm happy to help draw attention to this critical situation and donate blood to help those in Connecticut who need it most," said Governor Malloy. "The winter weather has been relentless in Connecticut, and hardly a week has gone by without a significant storm. But that makes donating blood and helping our state's Red Cross even more important. I'm urging all those who can give blood to please do so as soon as possible."

The American Red Cross - Connecticut Blood Services Region is conducting a statewide blood drive that will run today through February 15th in order to bring in 6,250 donations of blood and platelets. Since blood is perishable, the supply must be replenished constantly and the need for donors is ongoing.

WHO : Governor Dannel P. Malloy

WHAT : Governor Malloy will donate blood to the American Red Cross

WHERE : UConn Law School; Starr Reading Room, 55 Elizabeth Street, Hartford

WHEN : Monday, January 31, 2011; 1 p.m.

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For Immediate Release: January 31, 2011
Contact: Juliet Manalan
Juliet.Manalan@ct.gov
860-524-7314 (office)
860-770-8298 (cell)

Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
Facebook: facebook.com/GovMalloyOffice