Over 700 Pints Of Blood Collected On First Day Of 50th Comic-Con Blood Drive

SAN DIEGO, CA — More than 700 pints of blood were collected on the opening day of the 50th Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive at Comic-Con International, organizers said Thursday.

The five-day drive, hosted by the San Diego Blood Bank at the Manchester Grand Hyatt, aims to collect 3,500 pints of blood to help meet summer demand.

The annual blood drive, San Diego Blood Bank's largest and longest-running donation event, is open to both Comic-Con attendees and the public. A Comic-Con badge is not required to donate.

This year's drive is themed around the upcoming "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" movie. Donors receive a limited-edition Marvel Spider-Man T-shirt and other giveaways while supplies last.

The blood drive will continue from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The event is located on the first floor in Grand Hall A of the Manchester Grand Hyatt ar 1 Market Place in San Diego.

Appointments will be honored first, though walk-in donors are welcome.

Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and present a photo ID with their date of birth.

Since its launch in 1977, the Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive has collected 108,420 pints of blood from Comic-Con attendees, exhibitors, volunteers and staff, according to San Diego Blood Bank. Organizers estimate those donations have helped more than 325,000 people.