With the participation of some of Flamengo's organized fan groups, the National Red-Black Blood Campaign, which encourages fans to contribute to blood banks throughout the country, ends this Friday, August 21st. The initiative, which has the support of the Ministry of Health and the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, began on August 15th in various locations across the country. The initiative is the result of an action by the Marketing Department in partnership with the Nation's Embassies, a project of the Planning Department that organizes official representations of the club in various parts of the country and the world.

The Municipal Health Secretary of Rio de Janeiro, Hans Dohmann, praised the campaign. "May the important initiative driven by Flamengo and its fans to encourage this act of love and citizenship, so necessary as blood donation, be followed by other fan groups and all citizens," he stated. According to a report on RJ TV, Hemorio's blood stocks have never been so low [see at http://www.clipnaweb.com.br/video/VIDEO3/0908012015-GB.wmv].

On Friday, players Leonardo Moura and Toró, as well as football manager Isaías Tinoco, will be at the Rio blood center at 11 am to help promote the campaign. Nunes, the goalscorer in decisive matches, who scored in the finals of the 1981 Intercontinental Cup and the Brazilian championships of 1980 and 1982, is another confirmed name. Players from the two-time Brazilian champion basketball team, such as Hélio and Alírio, will also be there, in addition to coach Paulo Chupeta.

Red and Black Blood - The campaign began in São Paulo, where the FlaSampa Embassy encouraged donations in the city of São Paulo last Saturday. In other states, the day was chosen by the blood centers and, in some cases, with the support of the local Nation Embassies.

In Teresina, Piauí, the local fan group Nação considered the campaign launch a success. "Several uniformed fans were present to donate," says Ivaldo Carvalho, from Nação Fla, who continues to promote the campaign throughout the week by distributing informational pamphlets in bars, restaurants, and gyms.

According to the fan, the Meio Norte news program aired a report on the subject last Saturday, as did TV Clube, an affiliate of Rede Globo de Televisão in the state. "They aired a segment on the local Globo Esporte program, highlighting the campaign," says Carvalho.

The campaign's website gathers important information such as who can donate and how to donate, as well as an interactive area: donors can send photos, videos, and participate through communities on Orkut and Twitter.

Donations, however, can be made at blood centers in several states that have confirmed their participation. Addresses for blood donation are available on the website. Simply go to the location and identify yourself as a Flamengo fan. “We want to encourage Flamengo fans to donate blood during the same period. The chosen periods were February and August, the most critical months for blood centers throughout Brazil,” explains Ricardo Hinrichsen, Flamengo's Executive Marketing Director.

According to the Minister of Health, José Gomes Temporão, the campaign is aligned with the Ministry's objectives. “It is with great satisfaction that we at the Ministry of Health see Flamengo and its large fan base channeling all their energy to encourage such an important cause, or rather, a gesture of love, which is the act of donating blood. Flamengo's initiative is perfectly aligned with the strategy of the Ministry of Health's National Blood Donation Campaign, which aims to encourage people who already donate blood to invite their friends to do the same. It's a true bloodstream, of which, to our delight, Flamengo is now a part.”

More information

http://mkt.flamengo.com.br/hotsite/sanguerubronegro