Rockstars Staging 'Make 'Em Bleed' Blood Drive

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Pottstown's Rollerderby Rockstars

Pottstown's Roller Derby Rockstars will join leagues across the country to launch a national blood drive series next week called "Make ‘Em Bleed."

The drive is organized in partnership with The American Red Cross and Brown Paper Tickets and will take place here on Wednesday, July 26 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Ringing Hill Fire Company, 815 White Pine Lane in Lower Pottsgrove. 

(If you can't make the Pottstown blood drive, another will be held in Philadelphia on Sunday, Aug. 13 when the Philly Roller Derby will be at Roxborough Memorial Hospital, 5800 Ridge Ave., from from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Roller derby athletes will offer autographs, photo opportunities and more to attract donors, like other blood drives in the Make 'em Bleed series which are often the most popular community service events of the year in many of the cities where they are hosted. 

Make ‘Em Bleed roller derby blood drives have collected more than 900 units of blood over the past 4 years -- enough to have helped to save up to 2,700 lives.

“The Make ‘Em Bleed blood drives provide a fantastic atmosphere, with roller derby athletes skating in uniform, refreshments, giveaways and an all-around good time,” said Justin Mueller, representative for the American Red Cross.“  The summer is one of the most difficult times for the Red Cross to collect blood, so Make ‘Em Bleed has really made a difference to help ensure blood is available for patients in need.”

In 2017, the Make ‘Em Bleed roller derby blood drive series is part of World Roller Derby Week, Aug. 13-19, a series of events celebrating the 82nd birthday of the invention of the sport by Leo Seltzer in 1935. 

Roller derby is one of only three major sports invented in the United State. Currently, almost 2,000 women’s, men’s and junior leagues are skating, competing and giving back to their communities worldwide.