Health & Fitness
Win An Elvis-Inspired Trip, Guitar By Donating Blood In Santa Monica
The American Red Cross will give a lucky blood donor the chance to live like Elvis Presley for three nights.
![Anyone who donates blood, platelets or plasma during June will be automatically entered to win a three-night stay at The Guest House at Graceland.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/24074589/20220613/030218/styles/patch_image/public/untitled-1-1___13145931072.jpg)
SANTA MONICA, CA — The American Red Cross will give a lucky blood donor the chance to live like Elvis Presley with a three-night trip to Memphis, Tennessee.
Anyone who donates blood, platelets or plasma during June will be automatically entered to win a three-night stay at The Guest House at Graceland, an Elvis-themed hotel next door to Presley's Memphis home.
"Not only did Elvis Presley leave an everlasting fingerprint on the world as the first global rock and roll icon, but as a blood donor, he also left a legacy of generosity and community service that continues to this day," the American Red Cross said on its website.
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The American Red Cross will pick only one winner, who can bring a guest along on the trip. The trip will also include a VIP Elvis Entourage Tour of Graceland, Presley's home, along with two plane tickets to Memphis, a $500 voucher and a Gibson guitar.
The promotion is a celebration of World Blood Donor Day on Tuesday and the new Baz Luhrmann movie "Elvis," which comes out June 24.
Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The American Red Cross will soften the blow for donors who don't get so lucky. All donors in June will receive a $5 gift card to the merchant of their choice.
The Red Cross in January announced its first-ever national blood crisis, the worst shortage in over a decade, according to the organization. The organization provides 40 percent of the nation's blood supply and was forced to limit hospital distributions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Blood donations decline in late spring and early summer — especially during holiday weeks, like Memorial Day and Independence Day — but the need for blood and platelet transfusions doesn’t take a summer break," the Red Cross said in a news release. "Generous blood and platelet donors are critically important in ensuring lifesaving care is available the moment patients need it."
Ready for a chance to take an epic trip? Here is where to donate blood near Santa Monica in June:
- American Red Cross Santa Monica, 1450 11th Street, Santa Monica. June 12 from 1-7 p.m.
- Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey. June 14 from 10-4 p.m.
- Julian Dixon Library, 4975 Overland Ave., Culver City. June 17 from 11-5 p.m.
- Culver City Blood Donation Center, 5539 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. June 17 from 7-3 p.m.
Sign up for an appointment on the Red Cross website.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.