Before the puck drops on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 the New York Islanders Hockey Club and the American Red Cross will, for its third year, partner for a blood drive to continue their lifesaving commitment. The blood drive will take place at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As a special thank you for helping their neighbors, all presenting donors will receive a voucher for two tickets to a 2012-13 Islanders regular season home game.* This marks the first of four blood drives the two organizations will host this year.

Local donors are needed all year round to ensure the blood supply stays strong. Blood is an essential component for patient care in area hospitals, and the only source of blood is a healthy, volunteer donor. Your one donation can help save up to three lives and it only takes about an hour of your time.

“By rolling up your sleeve, you may help provide lifesaving blood where and when it is needed. This profound, heart-felt act may help save the life of a real person in your community,” said Donna M. Morrissey, Director of Communications, Red Cross Northeast Division.

“The blood drive has become a staple of the Islanders’ community outreach efforts,” Dave Decina, Islanders VP of Corporate Partnerships, said. “It has grown with every event, testifying to the strength of our fans’ communal ties. As an organizational family, we take comfort in knowing our efforts bring us a step closer to a better future.”

* Offers are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable. Ticket Vouchers are for Monday through Thursday games only (excludes New York Rangers games) and pending availability on game day.