Tincaps blood drive

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) The Tincaps hosted a special blood drive on Monday.

The American Red Cross blood supply has reached emergency levels, with 50,000 fewer donations than expected in June. The baseball team hosted a special blood drive to combat the shortfall.

"The Red Cross is excited to once again partner with the Fort Wayne TinCaps to help boost our blood supply this summer," said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross.  "This summer has been an unusually difficult time to collect blood. Natural disasters, unseasonably warm temperatures and a mid-week July Fourth holiday have resulted in almost half the amount of readily available blood in the Red Cross inventory now than there was at this point in time last year. We must rely on businesses and the community to help ensure an adequate blood supply during this critical time," said Whitman.

Those who donated received a free ticket to tonight's game or a future game. Donors will also received an American Red Cross t-shirt.

"The TinCaps are excited to get another chance to partner with the American Red Cross," said Michael Limmer, Vice President of Marketing and Promotions for the Fort Wayne TinCaps.  "We'd love to see everyone come out to Parkview Field to give blood through the Red Cross and help save lives in the community and across the country. A TinCaps ticket is the least we can do to thank people for helping to save a life."

The blood drive ran until 2:30 p.m. on Monday at Parkview Field in the Lincoln Financial Event Center, located on the right field concourse..