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Contact:
Joel Villanueva
Communications Manager
775-824-4461 (direct)
775-813-5395 (cell)
jvillanueva@atlantiscasino.com

35^th Annual Radio For Life Blood Drive To Tackle Critical Shortage

New Social Distanced Version Offers Safe Approach To Donate

Reno, NV – As a new year begins, northern Nevada’s nonprofit blood bank Vitalant is in dire need of donors. Almost 1,300 blood drives scheduled for December and January were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Vitalant with a critical shortage. The 35^th annual Radio For Life Blood Drive will give people an opportunity to donate at a variety of locations this year, including the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa.

The blood drive will be held from Tuesday, January 5^th to Saturday, January 9^th at Vitalant Donation Centers in Reno, Carson City, and Sparks. Additionally, Vitalant blood mobiles will be on site in the west parking lot of the Atlantis on Wednesday, January 6^th and Thursday, January 7^th. To allow for social distancing, appointments can be scheduled at BloodHero.com or by phone at 775-329-6451.

“The last thing a patient and their family should worry about after the holidays is the availability of donated blood they depend on,” said Dr. Ralph Vassallo, chief medical and scientific officer at Vitalant. “Cancer patients, trauma victims, premature babies, and those battling COVID-19 all rely on the generosity of volunteer blood donors to recover, heal, and thrive.”

All donors will receive a free Atlantis gelato, a Vitalant t-shirt, and will be entered into drawings for different prizes. One grand prize winner will receive an Atlantis Staycation package, which includes one night stay in the Concierge Tower, a 60-minute massage, and dinner for two at the award-winning Bistro Napa.

Vitalant is following all CDC recommendations for COVID-19 safety precautions such as face masks, temperature checks upon arrival, and frequent sanitizing of all donor-touched surfaces. Every donation will be tested for vital COVID-19 antibodies which can help those fighting the virus today.

About Atlantis Casino Resort Spa:

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is consistently ranked the #1 Reno resort on TripAdvisor, has the prestigious AAA Four Diamond designation, and is recommended by the Forbes Travel Guide. For more information, visit www.atlantiscasino.com or call 800-723-6500.

About Vitalant:

Vitalant is the nation’s largest independent, nonprofit blood services provider exclusively focused on providing lifesaving blood and comprehensive transfusion medicine services for about 900 hospitals and their patients across the United States. For more information, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).