Sundance Vacations Teams Up With The American Red Cross

With spring upon us, many individuals are already beginning to plan their summer activities. Vacations, barbecues, time with friends and family, enjoying the outdoors, or even just lounging around the house are things that many of us enjoy. However, when you are a patient in an area hospital, these things may seem just out of reach. For some the road to recovery is short, for others it seems long and unattainable. Everyday individuals help patients by donating blood.

During the remaining week in March, individuals who present to donate blood with the American Red Cross Blood Services Northeastern Pennsylvania Region can enter to win an 8 day/7 night vacation and a $500 VISA gift card courtesy of Sundance Vacations. Depending on which vacation the winner chooses, they can visit Myrtle Beach or Hilton Head, SC and possibly bring up to 5 guests.

"Blood transfusions are a vital part to many patients' treatments and would not be possible without the compassionate actions of blood donors," stated Shannon Ludwig, Communications Manager for Blood Services Northeastern Pennsylvania Region. "We are very fortunate to partner with Sundance Vacations and cannot thank them enough for their generosity to allow us to offer this token of appreciation to our donors."

Eligible volunteer blood donors are asked to please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in PA), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Positive identification is required at the time of donation.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The Red Cross Blood Services Northeastern Pennsylvania Region provides lifesaving blood to 29 hospitals and needs 351 people to give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.

About the American Red Cross:
Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross has been the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States for more than 50 years. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure that no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. The American Red Cross Blood Services - Northeast Division must distribute approximately 3,000 units of blood each day just to meet the basic needs of area patients. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.

About Sundance Vacations:
Sundance Vacations has been specializing in wholesale vacation accommodations since its founding in 1991. Based in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., the national travel company also has offices in Harrisburg, Penn., King of Prussia, Penn., Dublin, Ohio, Downers Grove, Ill., Brookfield, Wis., and Rockaway, N.J. Sundance Vacations has been named to Inc. Magazine's 500/5000 list of fastest growing companies for the past three years as the "fastest growing travel company in Pennsylvania."