The Utah Red Cross will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the TV show 'Friends' with a call for blood donations

SALT LAKE CITY – Benjamin Donner knows the importance of donating blood.

Five years ago, he faced a medical emergency that required an immediate blood transfusion. In the days that followed, he received more blood transfusions.

Eventually, the donor went home, thankful not only to the medical team that saved his life, but also to four people who were specifically Type O for donating blood one day.

Now executive director of the Central and Southern Utah chapters of the American Red Cross, Donner promotes statewide blood and platelet drives. He also thinks about the people whose lives he may never personally thank for saving.

“I'll never get the chance to meet those four guys. What I'll say is, 'Thank you for keeping me alive,'” he said. “Donating blood can be an afterthought, especially this time of year… but it's needed. We're encouraging people to please make it a priority.”

Blood drives are held nearly every day across the state, Donner said, but starting Monday, every Red Cross blood drive or donation center across the state will celebrate the 30th anniversary of an event he believes many Utahns will be excited about: the premiere of the popular '90s sitcom.” Friends.”

Across the country, people have gone on “Friends” tours in New York City and hosted “Friends” anniversary parties anywhere from libraries in Illinois to dance clubs in Los Angeles. Fans are also gearing up to celebrate “Friendsgiving,” a chance to spend a big Turkey Day with your friends, inspired by an episode of the series.

In the episode “Friendsgiving”, the main characters Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, Rachel and Ross spend the holiday together when plans with their families fall through and many are given ideas on how to spend Thanksgiving.

A self-described “huge 'Friends' fan,” Donner recognizes the fun opportunity to celebrate the beloved show. There won't be any turkeys to wear La Monica on your head, but two 'Friends'-themed socks will be given to everyone who donates between November 18 and December 8, while supplies last. One pair you can keep for yourself, and the other you are encouraged to give to someone else, perhaps a friend.

Blood donations are needed at all times of the year, but the greatest need is for blood type O, either positive or negative. The O-negative type is used in emergency rooms across the country because it can be used to treat anyone regardless of their blood type. According to the National Office of the American Red Cross, type O-positive blood is used in trauma care situations.

Although there is a greater need for any type O blood, all blood types – A, B and AB, positive and negative – are required and accepted by the American Red Cross. American Red Cross drives account for approximately 40% of all blood collected in the US, so the opportunity to help those in need is great.

No need to worry if you don't know your blood type. According to Quest Diagnostics, more Americans know their horoscope sign — 66% — than their blood type — 51%. The Red Cross can tell you your type the first time you donate blood using the free Red Cross Blood Donor app.

To meet the needs of US hospitals and other health centers that may need blood transfusions, the American Red Cross needs to collect 12,500 blood donations per day as well as 3,000 platelet donations per day. As such, the donor is requesting everyone in the state to try and donate if you can. As we enter the season of giving, now is a great time to get friends and family together to donate.

“Someone you know has been affected by donating blood. You can donate blood in their honor and inspire someone else to do the same,” Donner said. “It's not hard to do. Join us and save a life.”