Cape Fear Chapter 1102 South 16th St. Wilmington, NC 28401 redcross.

org

Contact: Autum Mihm Phone: (910) 762-2683 x361 Mobile: (910) 512-3359 autum.mihm@redcross.org

Red Cross Delivers Lifesaving Blood to Newborn during a Disaster 8th Annual Griffin Riso Blood Drive and Fundraiser
Wilmington, NC, Friday, October 12, 2012 The 8th Annual Griffin Riso Blood Drive & American Red Cross Fundraising Event will be held next Saturday, October 20 from 8:30am-2:00pm at the WestPort Subdivision in Leland. Only days after he was born on August 12, 2004, Griffin Riso was saved by a blood transfusion and special procedure needed due to a rare platelet disorder. This occurred in the midst of Hurricane Charley bearing down on the Carolina Coast. Doctors informed the Riso Family that Griffins prognosis was not good, as his platelet count was rapidly decreasing, and he would likely hemorrhage and die. The American Red Cross was able to save Griffins life by immediately finding a qualified donor from which to harvest the platelets Griffin needed in order to survive, and by transporting the critical platelets to New Hanover Regional Medical Center to be transfused to Griffin amidst a disaster. In gratitude to the American Red Cross for saving Griffins life, and to help increase community awareness of the importance of volunteer blood donors and the need for volunteers to support blood collection and disaster relief efforts, the Riso Family has sponsored the Annual Griffin Riso Blood Drive & Fundraiser each year since 2005 around Griffins birthday. To date, this event has generated hundreds of units of lifesaving blood that have been supplied to area hospitals, and thousands of dollars in funds to support the vital programs and services provided by the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross The Riso Blood Drive and Fundraiser is open to the public and will feature food, live music, face painting, silent auction and more. To make an appointment to donate blood or for more information, call (910) 3832295 or (201) 400-0345. Walk-ins are also welcome! About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org. ###