Utah Red Cross to celebrate 30th anniversary of 'Friends' TV show with call for blood donations

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY — Benjamin Donner knows the importance of blood donations.

Five years ago, he suffered a medical emergency that forced him to get an immediate blood transfusion. He had more transfusions in the days following.

Eventually, Donner went home, grateful not only to the medical team that saved his life but also to the four people who one day took the time to donate blood, specifically Type O.

Now the executive director of the central and southern Utah chapters of the American Red Cross, Donner promotes the blood and platelet drives held across the state. He also thinks about the people he will probably never thank personally for saving his life.

"I will never have a chance to meet those four individuals. What I would give to say, 'Thank you for keeping me alive,'" he said. "Blood donations can be an afterthought, especially this time of year ... but there is a need. We're encouraging people to please make it a priority."

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

To find an American Red Cross of Utah location to donate blood, click here.

To be eligible to donate blood you must:

• Be in good health.
• Weigh at least 110 pounds.
• Be at least 16 years old, with parental consent if you are between 16-18 years old.
• Not have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days.
• Not have cold or flu symptoms.
• Not have taken oral antibiotics in the past seven days.

Across the country, people have gone on the "Friends" tour in New York City and held "Friends" anniversary parties anywhere from libraries in Illinois to dance clubs in Los Angeles. Fans are also getting ready to celebrate "Friendsgiving," an opportunity to spend the big Turkey Day with your friends, inspired by an episode from the series.

In the "Friendsgiving" episode, main characters Monica, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, Rachel and Ross spend the holiday together when plans with their families fall through, giving many away from their families an idea on how to spend Thanksgiving.

A self-described "big 'Friends' fan," Donner recognizes the fun opportunity to celebrate the beloved show. There will not be turkeys to put on your head a la Monica, but there will be two 'Friends'-themed socks given to everyone who donates blood from Nov. 18 to Dec. 8, while supplies last. One pair you can keep for yourself, and the other you are encouraged to give to someone else, maybe even a friend.

Blood donations are needed every time of year, but the need is greatest for Type O blood, either positive or negative. Type O-negative is used in emergency rooms across the country because it can be used to help anyone, regardless of their blood type. Type O-positive blood is often used in trauma care situations, according to the American Red Cross's national office.

Although there is a high need for any Type O blood, all blood types — A, B and AB, positive and negative — are needed and accepted by the American Red Cross. An estimated 40% of all blood collected in the U.S. is from American Red Cross drives, so the opportunity to help someone in need is great.

If you do not know your blood type, no need to be concerned. According to Quest Diagnostics, more Americans know their horoscope sign — 66% —than their blood type — 51%. The Red Cross can tell you your type when you donate blood the first time by using its free Red Cross blood donor app.

To meet the needs of U.S. hospitals and other health centers that may need to transfuse blood, the American Red Cross needs to collect 12,500 blood donations a day as well as 3,000 platelet donations daily. As such, Donner is asking everyone in the state to try and donate, if you can. Seeing as we are now entering the giving season, this is a great time to get friends and family together to donate.

"Someone you know has been affected by a blood donation. You can donate in honor of them and inspire someone else to do the same," said Donner. "It's not hard to do. Come join us, and save a life."

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Ivy Farguheson

Ivy Farguheson is an intern at KSL.com and has worked in journalism in Indiana, Wisconsin and Maryland.