Red Cross Wants Blood on Halloween

The American Red Cross is hoping to use a ghoulish holiday to its advantage by holding a blood drive and Halloween celebration at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

“Donating blood is serious business,” said Beth Powis, a spokeswoman for the hospital. But the Red Cross is hoping to use the holiday inspire more donations.

“It was the Red Cross’ idea to hold a drive on Halloween this year,” Powis said. “They wanted to make it more fun.”

During the blood drive, to be held from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main auditorium of the hospital, Red Cross volunteers will be dressed in costume and Halloween treats will be given out in place of the traditional cookies.

According to the Red Cross, more than 1,000 people use donated blood every day in Los Angeles and Orange counties, but it cannot be stockpiled.

Those who want to donate must first call HealthMatch at (818) 409-8100 to make an appointment, Powis said.

The hospital is at 1509 Wilson Terrace.