Contact: Wendy Mehringer (317) 840-8424, wmehringer@indianablood.org
MEDIA ADVISORY: Dec. 1, 2008 Contact: Wendy Mehringer, Indiana Blood Center, 317-840-8424 (mobile) Indianapolis Colts kickoff annual Bleed Blue Blood Drive at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 9 Event offers fans a free pass to get inside the stadium while helping ensure the blood supply at Indiana Blood Center throughout the December holidays What: The Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Blood Center team up again in 2008 for the ninth annual Bleed Blue Blood Drive, presented by CardioChek. In this the first year for the Colts new home, the community is invited to kickoff the five-day blood drive by donating at Lucas Oil Stadium. Attendees will have access to the field at Lucas Oil Stadium to toss footballs, attempt field goals and amaze at the sights of the new stadium. Anyone who attempts to donate will receive a regulation-sized Colts football, featuring the Colts logo, the Lucas Oil Stadium inaugural season logo and the laser signature of Colts linebacker Gary Brackett, as well as a special discount at the Colts Pro Shop. CardioChek, makers of the two-minute at-home blood glucose monitor, will provide free 8” by 10” color photos of Gary Brackett to anyone who attempts to donate. In addition, Novartis Pharmaceuticals will be on hand to provide free blood pressure screenings. CardioChek and Novartis are proud sponsors of the 2008 Bleed Blue Blood Drive. When: Where: Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Itinerary for the day follows on page two of the advisory. Lucas Oil Stadium, between Missouri and Capitol at South Street Parking Note: The south lot will be open to attendees and media. Everyone is asked to enter the stadium via the Sprint East Gate off Capitol Ave. gate 6. Parking is free. -60 blood donation stations positioned on Lucas Oil Plaza, overlooking the field -Blood donors and fans on the field throwing footballs and kicking field goals. -Colts linebacker Gary Brackett signing autographs (12 to 1 p.m.) -Blue, the mascot, and Colts cheerleaders on-site. Santa to donate blood and interact with fans, handing out candy canes. (5-7 p.m.) The annual Bleed Blue Blood Drive attracts more than 5,000 donors to Indiana Blood Center each December as the state’s supply traditionally dwindles due to the hectic pace of the holidays. The Colts lend Indiana Blood Center their media spotlight to attract donors, many of whom are donating for the first time and are introduced to the life-saving effort through Bleed Blue Blood Drive. In 2007, Bleed Blue attracted 5,662 donors, 2,045 in the first day alone.
Visuals:
Why:
Bleed Blue Blood Drive, Dec. 9, 2008 Indiana Blood Center and Indianapolis Colts
Contact: Wendy Mehringer (317) 840-8424, wmehringer@indianablood.org
Bleed Blue Blood Drive Itinerary Media interested in early-morning access to Lucas Oil Stadium should contact Wendy Mehringer, Indiana Blood Center public relations director at 317-840-8424. Morning show access will be granted with notice by Friday, Dec. 5. 7 a.m. 9 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 5 p.m. Indiana Blood Center staff begins set-up Doors open The first of three Behind the Scenes VIP Tours of the Locker Rooms at Lucas Oil Stadium for gold or silver members of DonorPoint Gary Brackett arrives to sign autographs until 1 p.m. The second of three Behind the Scenes VIP Tours of the Locker Rooms at Lucas Oil Stadium for gold or silver members of DonorPoint The Red Zone The workday is done and Colts fans and families are invited to help Indiana Blood Center reach their goal of 2,800 donation attempts throughout Indiana in the final two hours of the kickoff of the 2008 Bleed Blue Blood Drive. Colts cheerleaders and Blue, the Colts mascot, will meet the fans and sign autographs until 7 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. The third of three Behind the Scenes VIP Tours of the Locker Rooms at Lucas Oil Stadium for gold or silver members of DonorPoint Doors close. Anyone in the door by 7 p.m. will be able to donate. ### Indiana Blood Center is a vital link in Indiana's health care infrastructure, supplying more than 550 units of blood to more than 60 Indiana hospitals every day. The nonprofit community service organization was founded in 1952 to provide a continuous, safe and adequate supply of blood products and testing services first to the people in our own communities, then wherever our blood products and testing services are needed. Visit indianablood.org or call 800-632-4722 to schedule an appointment.
Bleed Blue Blood Drive, Dec. 9, 2008 Indiana Blood Center and Indianapolis Colts
Contact: Wendy Mehringer (317) 840-8424, wmehringer@indianablood.org
Bleed Blue Blood Drive Playbook Helpful hints and rules of donating to share with fans and potential donors An Open Event The kickoff of the 2008 Bleed Blue Blood Drive is intended to be an open event for the community, thanks to the Indianapolis Colts and Lucas Oil Stadium. Anyone interested in donating blood will go through the registration process and donate as they arrive and then will be free to experience the event. Lucas Oil Stadium will be open to the community on Dec. 9. Attendees are asked to consider making a life-saving blood donation to Indiana Blood Center but it is not required. Time Commitment Indiana Blood Center, based on previous year’s numbers, expects considerable interest in the event. On a typical day or without a line on Dec. 9, donating blood takes about one hour. There will be 60 donation stations/beds on Lucas Oil Plaza and Indiana Blood Center will take every measure to move donors through the process with equal respect to donors’ time and safety. What to Bring Donors must have a valid photo identification to donate. Attendees are encouraged to bring their cameras. Lucas Oil Stadium offers countless photo opportunities. Eligibility Anyone attempting to donate must be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with parental consent, and weigh 110 pounds. Parental consent forms can be found online at indianablood.org. Children are welcome at the Bleed Blue Blood Drive. However, children under the age of 16 are not allowed in the donation area at Lucas Oil Stadium or at any Indiana Blood Center location. Parents are encouraged to alternate their donations so that the entire family can enjoy the festivities on Dec. 9. The Tally Donating blood to Indiana Blood Center is a goodwill effort that ties our community as Hoosiers donate anonymously to other Hoosiers in need. To encourage the excitement that Colts fans are used to, Indiana Blood Center will announce the day’s statewide tally periodically throughout the day on Dec. 9. The final results of number of donation attempts will be release by 9 p.m.
Bleed Blue Blood Drive, Dec. 9, 2008 Indiana Blood Center and Indianapolis Colts
Contact: Wendy Mehringer (317) 840-8424, wmehringer@indianablood.org
Bleed Blue Blood Drive: By the numbers 5 9 10 Days that the Colts fans throughout Indiana have the opportunity to donate as part of the 2008 Bleed Blue Blood Drive. The dates are Dec. 9-13. Years that the Indianapolis Colts have partnered with Indiana Blood Center for the Bleed Blue Blood Drive held each December. The first was in 2000. Time, 10 a.m., of the first Behind the Scenes VIP tour of Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 9. All silver or gold level members registered in DonorPoint, the online network of Indiana Blood Center donors, is eligible for the tour. Additional tours will be offered at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Donors would check-in at DonorPoint registration tables on-site at Lucas Oil Stadium. With questions, call Jennifer Zimmerman at 317-916-5138. Indiana Blood Center locations throughout Indiana. All are part of the Bleed Blue Blood Drive. The seven centers in the metro Indianapolis area will be closed on Dec. 9 as all collection staff will be centralized at Lucas Oil Stadium. All other centers – Anderson, Columbus, Kokomo, Lafayette, Muncie and Terre Haute – will be open. Number of donation beds positioned in Lucas Oil Plaza, overlooking the field to the south and out the oversized window onto downtown Indianapolis to the north. Indiana Blood Center employees who will staff the Bleed Blue Blood Drive at Lucas Oil Stadium. All team members will be wearing Indiana Blood Center and Colts staff t-shirts. Year the Indianapolis Colts earned the Award of Excellence from America’s Blood Centers for the most productive blood drive (based on number of units and as nominated by Indiana Blood Center) among the largest blood center’s in the United States.
12
60
200
2007
2,045 Number of Colts fans who took part in the first day of the 2007 Bleed Blue Blood Drive. Over the five days, 5,662 people, who attempted, donated. 2,800 Goal for number of donation attempts on Dec. 9 to kickoff the 2008 Bleed Blue Blood Drive at Lucas Oil Stadium and all Indiana Blood Center donation centers throughout Indiana. 5,662 Number of Hoosiers who took part in the 2007 Bleed Blue Blood Drive over the five-day event in December 2007, 2,045 people participated in the first day alone 28,214 Number of donation attempts at Indiana Blood Center attributed to the Indianapolis Colts since first partnering with Indiana Blood Center in 2000. Each year, the Colts host a Bleed Blue Blood Drive and Indiana Blood Center joins the team for its now annual Make it Personal summer tour to engage Colts fans in donating blood throughout Indiana. Bleed Blue Blood Drive, Dec. 9, 2008 Indiana Blood Center and Indianapolis Colts
Contact: Wendy Mehringer (317) 840-8424, wmehringer@indianablood.org
Corporate Challenge On a workday and centrally located downtown, Bleed Blue Blood Drive includes a Corporate Challenge offering employers the opportunity to take part in the excitement. Organizations (non-profit, for-profit and government agencies alike) are encouraged to register for the challenge before Dec. 9, by calling Magon Works, Indiana Blood Center, 317-407-2124. Only registered organizations can participate in the challenge. All registered organizations will receive cards to distribute to their employees who will then present the cards when they attempt to donate at Lucas Oil Stadium. Each of their staff members who donate throughout the day will add one to their employers’ tally. The winning organization will be presented with a custom Bleed Blood Blue Drive official NFL football with the company’s name on it. Story Angles The team’s commitment to Indiana communities runs deep. Since long before they were Super Bowl Champions, they have shared their fan frenzy and media spotlight with Indiana Blood Center. In this the ninth year partnering with Indiana Blood Center, the team is credited with attracting 28,214 donors to Indiana Blood Center, proving that the Colts believe being champions in their community is just as important as being champions on the field. Nationally, the Colts’ commitment to Indiana Blood Center has been recognized as well. In December 2007, the team earned the Award of Excellence from America’s Blood Centers—North America’s largest network of non-profit, community blood centers—for the team’s efforts to attract tens of thousands of blood donors. Yet again, Indiana stands above the rest thanks to the hard work and dedication displayed by our home team. The Bleed Blue Blood Drive ranks as Indiana Blood Center’s largest blood drive each year. From our 12 locations throughout Indiana – seven in metro Indianapolis, as well as Anderson, Columbus, Kokomo, Lafayette, Muncie and Terre Haute – we also see the largest percentage of first-time donors. The appeal of the Colts in Indiana transcends hometown, age, income and culture. Hoosiers are Colts fans. About Indiana Blood Center Indiana Blood Center is a vital link in Indiana's health care infrastructure, supplying more than 550 units of blood to more than 60 Indiana hospitals every day. The nonprofit community service organization was founded in 1952 to provide a continuous, safe and adequate supply of blood products and testing services first to the people in our own communities, then wherever our blood products and testing services are needed.
Bleed Blue Blood Drive, Dec. 9, 2008 Indiana Blood Center and Indianapolis Colts