Orioles aid Hurricane Irene efforts

The Orioles will assist with Hurricane Irene relief efforts by teaming up with the American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake and Potomac (GC&P) Blood Services Region for a series of blood drives this week in an effort to help rebuild the local blood supplies following Hurricane Irene. All donors will receive a complimentary ticket to the Orioles' game against the New York Yankees tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 8 at 1:05 p.m. The club is also working with the Maryland National Guard, Baltimore City Police Department and Baltimore City Fire Department to reward several hundred first responders with an afternoon of Orioles baseball at the Sept. 8 game. Orioles Red Cross Recovery blood drives will take place in several area locations, including a special Orioles blood drive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards before the game on Thursday. For a list of participating Baltimore Orioles blood drive locations, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org/gcp. Nearly 1,000 area participants attended previously scheduled Orioles blood drives this summer, with total donations helping as many as 2,700 area hospital patients in need of a blood transfusion. Eligible donors should call 1-800-RED CROSS to register or visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information.