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Superheroes Needed: Donate Blood to the Red Cross and Win Memorabilia From “Wonder Woman 1984”

Donating saves lives and is completely safe

Pixabay photo: Robert DeLaRosa

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The American Red Cross is in urgent need of help. The pandemic has resulted in a severe blood supply shortage. Yes, there are less people out and about, meaning fewer life-threatening injuries. But the other side of the coin is that not as many people are donating blood.

Wonder Woman to the Rescue

To encourage donation, the Red Cross has joined forces with Wonder Woman! On July 9, in a press release, the organization announced that Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Films will give away replica props that look exactly like ones used in the upcoming motion picture “Wonder Woman 1984.”

“Blood donors have a unique super power—lifesaving blood,” said Lisa Macaluso, regional donor services executive of the American Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Blood cannot be manufactured,and donors are the only source for patients in need.”

People who donate through July 31 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a package of props. It will include the Golden Lasso and a pair of gauntlets.

Gal Gadot Stars in “Wonder Woman 1984.” (Courtesy photo)

The Dire Shortage

The Red Cross usually has enough blood to last for five days, but not now. And in this country, someone needs blood every two seconds. Like the pandemic itself, the supply challenge is unprecedented.

Only three out of every 100 people donate blood. A viable supply is needed to treat cancer patients and car accident victims, for example. Tens of thousands gave during the start of the pandemic. But a supply can only last for so long. In the case of red blood cells, they last for 42 days after donation. Flatlets last just five days.

A Word About Safety

Most importantly, it is safe to donate. Protocols are in place to protect donors and medical staff such as wearing and changing gloves after every appointment, and wiping down surfaces. See a full list HERE.

“Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement,” said Jerome M. Adams, M.D., the U.S. surgeon general.

Red Cross centers nationwide are following the highest safety standards. Visits are by appointment only. Donors must wear a face covering, in keeping with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Donating Blood in Virginia

To donate blood in Virginia, residents must be at least 17 years of age (or 16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, have an appropriate iron level, and wait a certain number of days after a recent donation. The timeframe depends on specific blood type donated, i.e., whole blood, red blood cells, plasma, or platelets.

Technology can save time as well. The Red Cross uses RapidPass®, Donors can complete pre-fill health history information before their appointment, saving up to 15 minutes. To learn more, click HERE.  The app is available HERE.

To make an appointment, click HERE.

Contest Terms and Conditions

A valid email address is required. Limit five (5) entries per presenting donor. Winner will be selected and notified via the email listed in their American Red Cross donor profile on or around Aug. 10, 2020. Offer is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. Void where prohibited. Giveaway begins July 1, 2020 and ends July 31, 2020. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries are not responsible for the promotion, administration or execution of this Giveaway.

“Wonder Woman 1984” movie poster (Courtesy image)

Movie Release

“Wonder Woman 1984” is due in theaters on October 2, 2020. Parts of the film, starring Gal Gadot, were filmed at Landmark Mall. See the trailer HERE.

RELATED: Back to the Movies: AMC Premieres Pandemic Protocols

 

 

 

Kevin Dauray

Kevin is Publisher's Assistant with The Zebra Press. He has been working for Alexandria's "Good News" newspaper since 2019. A graduate of George Mason University, he earned a bachelor's in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. He also studied at the Columbia School of Broadcasting and holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. He is an alumnus of T.C. Williams High School. Go Titans!

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