Singer AJ Green to Perform and Meet Donors at Remington College-Memphis Campus Blood Drive on Wednesday, June 22
Green, who has sickle cell disease, serves as spokesperson for the national 3 Lives blood drive campaign
Memphis, Tenn. – (June 3, 2011) – Remington College-Memphis Campus welcomes singer AJ Green to campus for its blood drive on Wednesday, June 22 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Green is the spokesperson for a national effort to increase the number of minority blood donors.
Green, 18, knows all about the need for minority blood donors. He has sickle cell disease and his treatment has included ten blood transfusions.
Green will share his personal story and his music to inspire others. He is an accomplished R&B singer who has performed for two U.S. presidents and shared the stage with the likes of Elton John, Bill Cosby and Jennifer Hudson. He will hold a short concert for blood donors at 12 noon on the Remington College-Memphis Campus.
Remington College has partnered with America’s Blood Centers and the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America for a series of blood drives on every Remington College campus. The program is called 3 Lives because three lives may be saved for every one pint of blood donated. The blood drives focus on the need for minority donors – especially African Americans.
“It is extremely important that people donate blood and keep our blood banks stocked,” said Green. “Having had so many transfusions myself, I am grateful that people donate blood.”
Like Green, many sickle cell patients require frequent blood transfusions – and it’s best for them to receive blood that closely matches their own. According to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, African American donors provide blood with unique antigens that is vital for people battling sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases.
According to America’s Blood Centers and the SCDAA, minority blood donors are in demand for several reasons:
- The best blood match for a chronically ill patient requiring multiple transfusions throughout their lifetime will likely come from a donor of the same ethnic background.
- African American donors provide blood with unique antigens, which can mean life-saving treatments for people battling sickle cell, leukemia and other diseases.
- More than half of the African American and Hispanic populations are Type O blood, the most requested blood type.
- Changing demographics are increasing the need for more minority blood donors.
- Approximately 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease; many of them will require frequent blood transfusions.
“I encourage everyone who can to give blood,” he said. “You never know when you or a loved one will need a blood transfusion because of a life-threatening medical situation.”
While the focus is on recruiting minority donors, everyone is encouraged to attend the drive and donate blood. All the blood collected will be used to help people in the Memphis area.
Remington College-Memphis Campus is located at 2710 Nonconnah Blvd.
For more information, call 1-800-448-6405 or visit www.3Lives.com.
About Remington College: Remington College is a common name used by all 20 campuses of a privately-owned, post-secondary educational institution with its home office in Heathrow, Florida. Through its campuses, Remington College offers diplomas, bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in a variety of fields, including: cosmetology; nursing; healthcare; criminal justice; business; electronics; information technology; and more. Course offerings vary by campus. Remington Colleges, Inc. and its predecessor companies have been part of the higher education community since 1985. For more information, please visit http://www.remingtoncollege.edu/. For the latest news about Remington College, visit http://today.remingtoncollege.edu/.
Media contact:
Frank Wolff
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