6th Annual “Pint for a Pass” Blood Drive
Fairgoers Give Local and Save Big, While Helping To Save a Life!
This year Fairgoers had the opportunity to once again not only give local, but to save BIG on admission for the
2015 Big Fresno Fair as part of the 6th Annual “Pint for a Pass” Blood Drive held in partnership with the
Central California Blood Center and supported by CBS 47. Every person who donated a pint of blood at any
Central California Blood Center donor center or mobile drive from August 10 through September 6 received a
“Buy One, Get One FREE” voucher for admission to the 2015 Big Fresno Fair, a special commemorative t-shirt
and was entered-to-win concert and horse racing tickets. A special Fresno State “Pint for a Pass” Blood Drive
was held on September 15, 16 & 17. Additionally, some targeted mobile drives are exclusively offering the
coveted Fair “Pint for a Pass” tickets in an effort to encourage more people to come out and donate blood. To
date all blood collection totals are ahead of last year’s numbers!
During a special launch event on Monday, August 10 at The Big Fresno Fair’s Table Mountain Rancheria Park,
47 donors showed up beginning at 5 a.m. to donate blood. During the 4-week blood drive, 6,995 individuals
turned out to donate and 5,700 pints of blood were collected, plus more on the way through targeted mobile
drives scheduled from now until Fair.
The goal of the “Pint for a Pass” Blood Drive is to raise awareness of the continuous need of blood, as well as
motive both new and returning donors to give this precious gift that saves lives. Did you know that one pint of
blood can save up to three lives? With summer months being one of the most challenging times to keep the
Valley’s blood supply at needed levels, the “Pint for a Pass” Blood Drive truly helps increase our blood supplies.
“We are very grateful that The Big Fresno Fair continues to partner with us on their ‘Pint for a Pass’ Blood
Drive that offers donors a chance to be part of the Valley’s longest standing tradition and save some money,
while also giving one of the most precious gifts – blood,” said Dean Eller, President and CEO for the Central
California Blood Center. “Donating blood is a rewarding experience because you walk away knowing you
possibly helped save up to three people’s lives by taking an hour out of your day.”
The Central California Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood products for the 31 hospitals in
Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa Counties and must collect between 5,000 to 6,000 pints of blood a
month to meet the needs of our Valley community. Visit www.donateblood.org for more information.
The partnership between The Big Fresno Fair and Central California Blood Center was first established in 2010
as part of the Fair’s overall “Give Local” campaign. In the past five years the “Pint for a Pass” Blood Drive has
collected over 55,000 pints of blood, as well as built additional awareness for the continuous need of blood
donations in our community.
“The ‘Pint for a Pass’ Blood Drive is a great way to drive awareness and get people out to donate blood, not
only for this drive but to donate throughout the year. Each donation makes a difference and helps to save a life,
which one day might help save you or someone you know,” said John Alkire, CEO, The Big Fresno Fair.
Interviews Available: John C. Alkire, CEO; Stacy Rianda, Deputy Manager II; Lauri King, Deputy
Manager I, Big Fresno Fair; Dean Eller, CEO and Leslie Botos, Director of Community Relations &
Development, Central California Blood Center.