INDIANAPOLIS, IN (November 2, 2016) Indiana Blood Center and the Indianapolis Colts will host the 17th annual Bleed Blue Blood Drive and Holiday Fest on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Lucas Oil Stadium from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Full event details are available at colts.com/bleedblue.
Bleed Blue is Indiana's largest single-day blood drive. The life-giving day of service attracts nearly 5,000 Hoosiers, of which nearly 2,200 will be blood donors. The Holiday Fest, which is new this year runs concurrently with the blood drive and will include several activities for families as well as a holiday movie marathon on the big screens. Attendees will also be able to join for the bone marrow registry and register to be an organ donor.
Throughout the day, families are invited to enjoy free activities that include a photo booth, field access, face painting, balloon artists, a visit from Santa, discounted concessions, visits from Colts Cheerleaders, alumni players and Blue, and much more! Then, at 12 p.m. the holiday movie marathon will begin. Fans are encouraged to bring blankets and sit on the field to watch a presentation of "Polar Express" and "Elf" on the stadium's large HD screens.
Another hallmark of the event is the limited-edition football emblazoned with a Colts player photo and signature given to each blood drive participant. This year's ball features kicker Adam Vinatieri. Vinatieri currently holds NFL placekicker records for most consecutive field goals made, most Super Bowl appearances and most Super Bowl wins.
"During the holiday season, it's easy to forget about hospital patients who need our help," said Wendy Mehringer, VP of blood services and chief marketing officer of Indiana Blood Center. "There is no greater gift we can give another person than the gift of life and we appreciate the powerful support the Indianapolis Colts organization gives to our mission."
Appointments for the Bleed Blue Blood Drive on Dec. 17 are encouraged. This year, Indiana Blood Center is offering donors expanded opportunities to donate double red cells, an apheresis procedure that produces transfusable units that can help multiple patients. To schedule a blood donation appointment, visit colts.com/bleedblue or call Indiana Blood Center at 800-632-4722.
"The Bleed Blue Blood Drive has become a long-standing tradition in our community and we are excited to introduce the Holiday Fest this year as a part of this day-long event," said Stephanie Pemberton, Colts Sr. Director of Marketing. "In addition to encouraging our fans to join the life-saving mission of the Blood Center, we look forward to sharing the holiday spirit with families across Indiana through a variety of themed activities as well as a special movie showcase."
About Indiana Blood Center
We believe blood is life. Founded in 1952, Indiana Blood Center is a non-profit organization and vital community resource dedicated to providing a continuous, safe and adequate supply of blood components and biological services first to people of our own communities, then wherever needed. We do this only through the dedication of our 350 associates and the commitment of more than 90,000 Hoosiers blood donors. Blood: Your gift. Our mission. To join Indiana Blood Center's life-giving cause or for more information, visit www.indianablood.org.**
About Indianapolis Colts**
The franchise has won four World Championships. Since relocating to Indianapolis, the Colts have won 11 division titles, including five consecutive AFC South crowns from 2003-07. The Colts are the only NFL team to have 12-plus victories in seven consecutive seasons. The Colts won 115 regular season games from 2000-09, the highest decade total in NFL history, and the team's 23 consecutive regular season wins (2008-09) set another NFL record. The club won Super Bowl XLI following a 12-4 record in the 2006 regular season, and the Colts reached Super Bowl XLIV after winning the AFC title during the 2009 season.
The Indianapolis Colts take great pride in playing an active role in the community and are committed to corporate citizenship throughout Indiana. Leading by example, we hope to encourage and inspire our fellow Hoosiers to participate in the practice of giving back. Our goal is to create lasting philanthropic partnerships and maximize those relationships for the betterment of our community, thus, building a legacy of goodwill as we share the heart behind the horseshoe.
