Due to an unanticipated scheduling conflict, The American Red Cross must change the location of the September 11th “Give Blood to Honor Our Heroes” blood drive at the Palace of Auburn Hills.  The blood drive will now be held at Great Lakes Golf and Sports Complex located at 3951 Joslyn Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326. The drive times remain from 7am-7pm as scheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience this decision has on our dedicated donors, sponsors and media partners.

Eligible donors are encouraged to roll up a sleeve and “Give Blood to Honor Our Heroes” at the annual Palace Blood Drive, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. at Great Lakes Golf and Sports Complex located at 3951 Joslyn Rd, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.

This annual community drive was organized in 2002 to commemorate the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, and gives residents an opportunity to help save lives by building the blood supply in Southeastern Michigan.

Everyone who comes to donate blood at this year’s Palace Blood Drive will be entered into a drawing for a trip on the Detroit Pistons private plane to Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan for 18-holes of golf for two, along with chances to win autographed sports memorabilia. As a thank you to all presenting donors, the Detroit Pistons will be giving pre-season ticket vouchers (while supplies last). Radio station WNIC will be on-site and on-air encouraging their listening audience to give blood at the drive.

“The longstanding partnership between Palace Sports & Entertainment and the Red Cross is very important in our community,” said Southeastern Michigan Region Red Cross Blood Services CEO Jim Flickema. “This annual drive provides a tremendous opportunity for donors to give back on a day that we remember those around us who give every day through public service to keep us safe. It’s a salute to our armed forces and first responders. These are our everyday heroes that we honor today in remembrance of those who gave on 9/11.”

“We are pleased to be a part of the 13th Annual Red Cross Blood Drive and partner with the American Red Cross,” said Dennis Mannion, CEO of Palace Sports and Entertainment. “The American Red Cross provides life-changing resources for people in our community and we are thrilled to be able to do our part in making a difference by hosting this great event.”

The Sept. 11 blood drive comes at an important time of year for the Red Cross. While thousands of people responded to the emergency call for blood and platelet donations in July and August, an urgent need remains for donors with type’s O negative, A negative and B negative blood. Donors who gave blood at the start of summer may now be eligible to donate again.

Advance appointments are encouraged. Those with appointments will be given first priority; “wait times” can be quite lengthy. To make your appointment for the Palace Blood Drive, be sure to use sponsor code: palace.

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

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 visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About The Come Together Foundation
Re-launched in August 2012, The Come Together Foundation is a designated 501(c)(3) public charity. It was originally founded in 1989 as the Pistons-Palace Foundation, a private foundation. The mission aims to utilize the foundation as an effective tool to support overall Come Together vision and mission by strategically collaborating with community organizations to raise awareness and provide financial support in areas of volunteerism, youth leadership and those identified as NBA Cares sponsored programs.