Comic-Con Enters 35th Year of Saving Lives

For its 35th year and counting, the Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive--San Diego Blood Bank's longest-running blood drive -- returns to Comic-Con this year.

In just 34 years, the Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive has collected more than 9,806 pints of blood from Comic-Con attendees. According to the San Diego Blood Bank, more than 2,000 lives have been saved due to Comic-Con donors.

Robert A. Heinlein is a popular science fiction writer that has written famous pieces like Star Ship Troopers and Stranger in a Strange Land. In 1976, after Heinlein had grown sick with a life threatening illness that demanded lots of blood, he decided to attend the World Con in Kansas City, where he would only sign fans’ autographs if they donated blood. He collected 148 pints of blood that year. When Jackie Estrada, a Comic-Con committee member got wind of this, she suggested Heinlein hold a blood drive at San Diego’s Comic-Con. One year later, Heinlein came to Comic-Con and has been running his annual blood drive every since.

Every year, Comic-Con retailers donate memorabilia and prizes that blood donors have the chance of winning in a raffle. Upon donating their blood this year, not only do Comic-Con goers have the chance to win raffle prizes; they will also receive a goody bag, a True Blood  T-Shirt and water. At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, winners of the raffle will be posted at the Blood Drive Booth in the Sails Pavilion.

Giving blood only takes 45 minutes. You can give blood at any time of day beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. If you would like to schedule an appointment to give blood in advance, click here or sign up in person at the Blood Drive desk in the Sails Pavilion.
 

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