Neighbors Give Life(TM) Campaign Challenges Neighbors Across the Country to Give the Gift of Life Through Blood Donations

Neighbors Give Life(TM) Campaign Challenges Neighbors Across the Country to Give the Gift of Life Through Blood Donations

State Farm(R), the American Red Cross and Tim McGraw Band Together to Raise Public Awareness of the Need for Blood Donations

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Grammy-winning music sensation Tim McGraw, State Farm and the American Red Cross are challenging neighbors across the country to give blood by making an appointment to donate or by visiting their local blood drive.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050331/NYTH064 )

From March 31 to September 5, the Neighbors Give Life campaign will raise awareness about the importance of giving blood and the difference that even one donation can make. Visit http://www.neighborsgivelife.com/ to learn more about the program, how to schedule an appointment and how giving blood makes a strong impact in local communities.

"As part of the Neighbors Give Life campaign, I'm encouraging people to donate blood and donate often," said Tim McGraw. "With State Farm and the American Red Cross, I challenge all people to give the gift of life and make a difference in their community and communities across the country by donating blood this year."

Something to Sing About

In 2005, State Farm is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross. The Neighbors Give Life campaign challenges people across the country to support the American Red Cross and the ongoing need for blood donations.

In addition to the blood donation challenge, State Farm is sponsoring the Neighbors Give Life Sweepstakes, so visit http://www.neighborsgivelife.com/ to enter for a chance to win. Prizes include:

-- Trip for two to the Country Music Association Awards -- Trip for two to a Tim McGraw concert -- Tim McGraw tour jackets (some autographed) -- Tim McGraw "Live Like You Were Dying" CDs (some autographed) -- Collectible Neighbors Give Life T-shirts (some autographed) -- Collectible Neighbors Give Life wristbands

Winning participants will be notified instantly of their prizes. (No purchase or blood donation is required to participate in the sweepstakes.)

"We admire the American Red Cross and its continued efforts to make a difference in its local communities," said Edward B. Rust, Jr., State Farm Chairman and CEO. "State Farm and its 17,000 agents across the country are committed to building stronger neighborhoods. Neighbors Give Life does just that."

Small Donation, Big Impact

People commonly underestimate the need for blood and the difference that even one donation can make to ensure blood is available when and where it's needed. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The blood donation process only takes about one hour to complete. This small time commitment has a big impact since one donation could save the lives of up to three people.

To donate blood, individuals must meet the following general guidelines:

-- Be in good health -- Be at least 17 years old, and -- Weigh at least 110 pounds

"As much as 60 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood; unfortunately, only five percent of those eligible to donate blood actually do in any given year. The Neighbors Give Life Campaign is helping educate people about the regular and ongoing need for blood," said Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Every blood donation can help make a difference for someone in need of blood."

For more information about Neighbors Give Life or donating blood, visit http://www.neighborsgivelife.com/.

About State Farm(R)

State Farm(R) insures more cars than any other insurer in North America and is the leading U.S. home insurer. State Farm's 17,000 agents and 76,000 employees serve nearly 73 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada. State Farm also offers financial services products. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 18 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com(r/) or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca/ .

About The American Red Cross

Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 900 field units dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1 million volunteers and 35,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 70,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and keeps U.S. military families connected worldwide. The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply (collecting more than 6 million units a year from volunteer donors) to patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country through its national network. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. The Red Cross must collect blood donations each and every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and individuals with blood disorders, and the organization works to accomplish this through its 36 Blood Services regions. Please call today to make your appointment to give the gift of life. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule your donation or to sponsor a blood drive. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

For more information about this promotion, please call the American Red Cross at 1-800-797-8022, or email the American Red Cross at info@usa.redcross.org. The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company or individual.

About Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw has been a member of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet since its inception in 2002. He set new sales standards with his recent Live Like You Were Dying album. It debuted with sales nearing 770,000, the fifth highest debuting album in country music history. McGraw re-wrote chart history when the title track spent a record setting 10 weeks atop the country singles chart and has established himself as a triple threat entertainer. He's maintained his stature as one of the most dominating performers in music, wowed audiences with his film debut in Friday Night Lights, gave NBC Television 2 highly rated concert specials (2002 & 2004) and his duet with R&B artist Nelly on "Over And Over" sat atop Billboard's Top 40 Chart for over 12 weeks. And with all of these career accolades he holds his relationships with his wife and three daughters as the true accomplishments of his life. For more information, visit http://www.timmcgraw.com/ .

Contacts: Melissa Ristau GolinHarris (312) 729-4224 Umristau@golinharris

Mia Jazo-Harris State Farm Insurance (309) 766-5242 mia.jazo-harris.sfdx@statefarm.com

Michelle Hudgins American Red Cross (202) 303-5643 HudginsM@usa.redcross.org

Jessie Schmidt Schmidt Relations for Tim McGraw (615) 846-3878

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050331/NYTH064 AP Archive Topic Gallery: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2 PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840 Source: State Farm

CONTACT: Melissa Ristau of GolinHarris, +1-312-729-4224, Umristau@golinharris; Mia Jazo-Harris of State Farm Insurance, +1-309-766-5242, mia.jazo-harris.sfdx@statefarm.com; Michelle Hudgins of American Red Cross, +1-202-303-5643, HudginsM@usa.redcross.org; Jessie Schmidt of Schmidt Relations for Tim McGraw, +1-615-846-3878, all for State Farm

Web Site: http://www.neighborsgivelife.com/ http://www.statefarm.com/ http://www.timmcgraw.com/

------- Profile: Ent